Pakistan delegation in Saudi Arabia post tiff over Yemen conflict

The delegation is led by Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, also the younger brother of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and included Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz and Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhry.

Last month, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif had led a high- level delegation to Riyadh to hold talks over Saudi Arabia's request for troops to support a coalition led by the oil-rich kingdom in fighting Houthi rebels, allegedly backed by Iran. Foreign office spokesperson said that the delegation has left for the Saudi capital Riyadh.

The delegation is expected to meet Saudi Crown Prince Muqrin bin Abdul Aziz and Defence Minister Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and try to calm the anger of Saudi government over Pakistan's decision to remain neutral in the Yemen conflict, diplomatic sources said.

The royal family, having personal ties with the Sharifs, is reportedly not happy with Pakistan's decision, as they wanted substantial support in the form of ground troops, air power and naval warships to fight in Yemen.

However, there is a widespread opposition to Pakistan joining the war in Yemen, and several politicians and retired army officers have cautioned the government against becoming part of a conflict that has sectarian faultlines and can create domestic troubles.

Pakistan enjoys close ties with Saudi Arabia, but has equally good relations with neighbouring Iran which has criticised the Saudi intervention in Yemen. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are key Sunni Muslim countries, and the kingdom over the years has provided crucial economic support to Pakistan to help its crippled economy.