Saudi King apologised to PM for snub at international summit: FO
Zakaria said that leaders of 30 countries were not able to address the international Islamic summit due to lack of time
May 25, 2017
ISLAMABAD: Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Nafees Zakaria on Thursday refuted claims that Saudi Arabia did not provide Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif a chance to address the international summit held in the country early this week.
Addressing the Foreign Office’s weekly press briefing, Zakaria said that leaders of 30 countries were not able to address the international Islamic summit in Saudi Arabia due to lack of time.
He said that Saudi king Shah Salman had also apologised to all participants who were not able to address the summit.
“Muslim Ummah is united and will remain so. Claims that Saudi Arabia didn’t give a chance to Pakistan to address [the summit] is wrong,” the Foreign Office spokesman said.
Condemning the situation in Indian-occupied Kashmir, he said that Indian troops continue to violate human rights in the valley and condemned the Indian forces' use of innocent Kashmiris as human shields.
“Muslims are facing difficulties while observing their religious duties in IoK,” he pointed out.
Reiterating the need for the international community to resolve the issue, he said that the “international community should take notice of Indian atrocities in Kashmir.”
India has also closed down about 36 television channels in IOK to suppress the voice of the people, he claimed. "The international community needs to play an important role in solving the Kashmir issue," he had remarked.
Recently, the intensity of atrocities against Kashmiris have increased with troops using people as human shields and firing pellets at women and children.
Zakaria further said that Pakistan has received no request regarding consular access about Indian citizen Sheikh Nabi Ahmed arrested in Pakistan last week.
Commenting about retired colonel Habib, who went missing in Nepal in April, the spokesman said that Pakistan is in contact with the Nepali government and has also contacted Indian High Commission for cooperation.
