ISLAMABAD: A high-level meeting chaired by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif at the PM House on Thursday to discuss the latest developments pertaining to the ongoing crisis in Yemen was briefed by Shahbaz Sharif in relation to a Pakistani delegation's recent visit to Saudi Arabia.

Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Adviser to the PM on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, Special Assistant to the PM on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi, Chairman Joint Chief of Staff Committee General Rashid Mehmood, Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry and the three service chiefs of Army, Air-force and Naval Staff participated in the meeting.

The huddle comes shortly after a government delegation led by Shahbaz Sharif, who was the prime minister's special envoy, returned to Islamabad following meetings with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al Faisal and Deputy Crown Prince and Minister for Interior Muhammad bin Naif.

The objective of the Pakistani delegation's visit was to express solidarity with the leadership and people of Saudi Arabia.

Know more: Govt delegation meets Saudi FM to extend Pakistani support

Shahbaz Sharif briefed the meeting about the outcome of discussions with the Saudi leadership.

The meeting was told that Shahbaz Sharif reiterated Pakistani government’s unequivocal support to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Saudi Arabia while reaffirming that the people of Pakistan stand ever-ready to protect Harmain Sharifain.

Pakistan has always stood by Saudi Arabia, and Saudi Arabia with Pakistan, said the Punjab chief minister.

The meeting was also informed that Saudi leaders reciprocated the warmth shown by Pakistan and reaffirmed the special bond of friendship between the two countries. The Saudi leadership also appreciated Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s statement on April 13, which cleared confusions on Pakistan’s stance on the conflict and relayed the importance of the parliament’s resolution on the Yemen conflict.

The delegation held detailed discussions with the Saudi leadership on the situation in Yemen and condemned the violent overthrow of the legitimate government of President Hadi by the Houthi rebels.

The civil and military leadership was further informed that the delegation welcomed adoption of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution on Yemen, which calls upon the Houthis to end the use of violence that undermines political transition in Yemen, and to withdraw their forces from all areas they have seized, including the capital Sana’a, and relinquish all arms seized from military and security institutions.

The delegation also expressed its concerns on reports of foreign support to the Houthis, and noted with satisfaction that the UN resolution requires all member states to prevent supply of arms and equipment to rebels and their allies, including inspecting all cargo entering Yemen, if there is information that the cargo contains arms prohibited under the UN resolution.

During their briefing, delegation members said they assured the Saudi leadership that the government of Pakistan will fully participate and contribute to the implementation of the UNSC resolution, and discuss the possibility of expanding Pakistan's cooperation with Saudi Arabia in compatibility with the UNSC resolution, and pursuant to paragraphs 10 and 11 of parliament's resolution on Yemen.

The meeting expressed satisfaction on the efforts being made by the leadership, government and people of Pakistan to stand shoulder to shoulder with Saudi Arabia, and for playing a constructive role for a peaceful resolution to the Yemen crisis.

The high-level meeting expressed hope that in accordance with the UNSC resolution, all Yemeni parties will resolve their differences through dialogue and consultation, and all parties will take steps to agree and implement a consensus-based political solution to Yemen's crisis in accordance with Gulf Cooperation Council’s initiative and the outcomes of a comprehensive National Dialogue Conference.

The government delegation had arrived in Jeddah on Wednesday to meet Saudi leadership and give assurances that Pakistan is supporting Saudi Arabia in the ongoing Yemen crisis.

Saudi Arabia and its allies last month launched air strikes in Yemen against Houthi fighters, who have tightened their grip in the southern city of Aden where the country's president had taken refuge.

The Sharif brothers have enjoyed close ties with the Saudi royal family, and spent their years of exile from Pakistan after 1999 in Jeddah.

Also read: Pakistan does not abandon friends and strategic partners: PM Nawaz

Amidst unsubstantiated rumours that Pakistan will commit troops to Saudi Arabia for the protection of its borders, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in an address earlier this week urged a peaceful solution to the Yemen crisis through dialogue with warring factions and reiterated the importance of the Saudi Kingdom as a ‘strategic ally’.

Nawaz in his speech upheld Parliament’s recent resolution to stay 'neutral' in the Yemen conflict, and repeated the words of the resolution regarding the importance of Saudi Arabia as an ally. “We stand with them shoulder to shoulder,” he said.

“We are also in touch with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to assure that their disappointment was based on an apparent misinterpretation of the Parliament's resolution," Nawaz had said. "Pakistan does not abandon friends and strategic partners, specially at a time when their security is under threat.”