MbS Delays Pakistan Visit Amid Protests
ISLAMABAD (Dispatches) -- Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman (MbS) has delayed his trip to Pakistan by a day, the foreign ministry her said on Saturday, after reports of protests held in several cities.
The ministry said bin Salman will arrive in Islamabad on Sunday, but had no further explanation over the postponement.
Bin Salman’s visit to Pakistan comes amid heightened tensions with India following a suicide bombing in the disputed Kashmir region that killed at least 40 Indian troops and was blamed on a Pakistan-based separatist group. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has warned of a "crushing response" to Thursday's attack.
Pakistan is the Saudi crown prince's first stop on an Asian tour aimed at building the kingdom's business ties in the east. However, his visits to Malaysia and Indonesia have been postponed, the two countries' foreign ministries said without giving any reasons, leaving only Pakistan, China and India on the itinerary.
While in Pakistan, bin Salman is expected to sign a number of agreements on Saudi investment in the country, including the setting up a $10 billion oil refinery.
Protesters took to the streets after Friday prayers in Rawalpindi, northern Pakistan, calling on the government not to allow the Saudi prince into the country.
Leaders and activists of different parties and organizations as well as political and religious figures attended the rally.
Demonstrators say bin Salman has been behind the killing of thousands of people, including the people of Yemen.
India’s tensions with Pakistan further threaten the visit. On Friday, hawkish U.S. national security adviser John Bolton expressed Washington's support for New Delhi after Modi vowed a "heavy price” for the deadly bombing.
In a telephone conversation with his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval, Bolton said the Trump administration supported New Delhi’s right to self-defense against cross-border terrorism, Indian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Saturday.
The Pakistan-based JeM militant group claimed responsibility for Thursday’s car bomb attack.
India accused Pakistan of harboring militants behind the attack, which was the deadliest bombing in three decades of bloodshed in Indian-controlled Kashmir. India says it has incontrovertible evidence of Pakistan’s involvement, a charge Islamabad dismisses.
The Indian ministry said Bolton and Doval "vowed to work together to ensure that Pakistan cease to be a safe haven for JeM and terrorist groups that target India, the US and others in the region.”
"They resolved to hold Pakistan to account for its obligations under UN resolutions,” said the statement.
Modi said on Friday that "the terrorist groups and their masters” will have to "pay a heavy price,” over the Kashmir bombing. Pakistan has condemned the attack and denied any involvement.
The ministry said bin Salman will arrive in Islamabad on Sunday, but had no further explanation over the postponement.
Bin Salman’s visit to Pakistan comes amid heightened tensions with India following a suicide bombing in the disputed Kashmir region that killed at least 40 Indian troops and was blamed on a Pakistan-based separatist group. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has warned of a "crushing response" to Thursday's attack.
Pakistan is the Saudi crown prince's first stop on an Asian tour aimed at building the kingdom's business ties in the east. However, his visits to Malaysia and Indonesia have been postponed, the two countries' foreign ministries said without giving any reasons, leaving only Pakistan, China and India on the itinerary.
While in Pakistan, bin Salman is expected to sign a number of agreements on Saudi investment in the country, including the setting up a $10 billion oil refinery.
Protesters took to the streets after Friday prayers in Rawalpindi, northern Pakistan, calling on the government not to allow the Saudi prince into the country.
Leaders and activists of different parties and organizations as well as political and religious figures attended the rally.
Demonstrators say bin Salman has been behind the killing of thousands of people, including the people of Yemen.
India’s tensions with Pakistan further threaten the visit. On Friday, hawkish U.S. national security adviser John Bolton expressed Washington's support for New Delhi after Modi vowed a "heavy price” for the deadly bombing.
In a telephone conversation with his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval, Bolton said the Trump administration supported New Delhi’s right to self-defense against cross-border terrorism, Indian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Saturday.
The Pakistan-based JeM militant group claimed responsibility for Thursday’s car bomb attack.
India accused Pakistan of harboring militants behind the attack, which was the deadliest bombing in three decades of bloodshed in Indian-controlled Kashmir. India says it has incontrovertible evidence of Pakistan’s involvement, a charge Islamabad dismisses.
The Indian ministry said Bolton and Doval "vowed to work together to ensure that Pakistan cease to be a safe haven for JeM and terrorist groups that target India, the US and others in the region.”
"They resolved to hold Pakistan to account for its obligations under UN resolutions,” said the statement.
Modi said on Friday that "the terrorist groups and their masters” will have to "pay a heavy price,” over the Kashmir bombing. Pakistan has condemned the attack and denied any involvement.