ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has said that it backs Saudi Arabia in its row with Canada, and that it stands by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in protecting its sovereignty.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Dr. Mohammed Faisal said on Thursday that Pakistan was following with immense concern the "crisis" in relations between Saudi Arabia and Canada, and also that Pakistan, “places on record its solidarity with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”

“We fully agree with the statement of the OIC secretary-general that Saudi Arabia enjoys immense respect at the regional and international level as it does among the people of Pakistan.”

Dr. Faisal said that Pakistan always supported the sovereignty of states and the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other states, adding that both these aspects are enshrined in the UN Charter and are among the basic tenets of international law as well as the foundation of peaceful and friendly inter-state relations.

“Pakistan stands by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in protecting its sovereignty as a matter of principle and based on the historic and brotherly relations between our two countries,” Dr. Faisal added.