Prime Minister Imran Khan, in a telephone call on Wednesday with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, stressed the need for “immediate” cessation of Houthi drone strikes that continued to pose a threat to regional peace.
“PM Imran strongly condemned the heinous terrorist attack by Houthi militia on civil facilities in Abu Dhabi,” according to a PM Office Media Wing press release.
During the phone call with Mohamed bin Zayed, the premier expressed solidarity with the leadership, government and people of the UAE. The prime minister offered “deepest condolences” to the families of all the victims and prayed for the "speedy recovery" of the injured.
The crown prince, who is also the deputy supreme commander of UAE's armed forces, thanked the prime minister for the “strong expression” of support, and also offered condolence on the death of a Pakistani national who was killed in the attack.
Two Indian nationals were also killed in the suspected drone attack that set off a blast and a fire in Abu Dhabi on Monday, officials said, escalating regional tensions. Police said “small flying objects” were found at both places, suggesting the sort of deliberate attack.
In reaction, the Foreign Office had condemned the attack and called for an end to strikes.
“Pakistan stands in solidarity with the brotherly people and government of the United Arab Emirates in the face of this wanton act of terrorism,” the FO spokesperson had said in a statement.
UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Tuesday phoned his Pakistani counterpart, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, to condole the death of the Pakistani national.
He had also shared details of the incident with FM Qureshi, who reiterated Pakistan’s strong condemnation of the terrorist attack on civilian areas by Houthi militia.
The UAE foreign minister offered condolences to the families of the victims and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.
FM Qureshi thanked the UAE government for extending all-out support in the early repatriation of the mortal remains of the deceased Pakistani national and treatment for the injured.
He expressed solidarity with the people and the UAE government over the tragic incident and underlined that such acts violated the “sovereignty and territorial integrity” of the UAE.