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Saudi Defense Minister To Meet Pakistani Leaders In Islamabad


Saudi Defense Minister Mohamed bin Salman with Tajik President Emomali Rahmon (R) in Riyadh on January 3.
Saudi Defense Minister Mohamed bin Salman with Tajik President Emomali Rahmon (R) in Riyadh on January 3.

Saudi Arabia's defense minister, Deputy Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman, is due in Islamabad for a one-day official diplomatic visit.

The Saudi defense minister is scheduled to meet with Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, and Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif.

Reports from Islamabad say the visit is part of an effort by the Saudi government to seek support from Pakistan in the midst of Riyadh's diplomatic dispute with Iran.

The January 10 meeting is the second visit by a high-profile Saudi government official in three days.

Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir visited Islamabad on January 7 to discuss Saudi Arabia's tensions with Tehran and the creation of a counterterrorism coalition that Saudi Arabia has announced.

Pakistan has indicated that it could consider the invitation to join the 34-country coalition.

But an official announcement from Islamabad on the issue has not been made.

Based on reporting by AP and Dawn

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