World
Jamal Khashoggi: Biden vows to hold Saudi Arabia accountable for human rights abuses
Washington: US President Joe Biden has told Saudi Arabia's King Salman that he will hold them accountable for human rights abuses, following an intelligence report according to which kingdom's crown prince approved the operation to kill US-based journalist in Istanbul.
While speaking to Univision News, Joe Biden confirmed that he had spoken to Saudi King on Thursday, and had warned him that there will be significant changes in the country's relationship with the US.
According to the report, "Crown prince's absolute control of the kingdom's intelligence organisations would make it highly unlikely that such an operation could have been carried out without his authorisation".
Kingdom's foreign ministry rejected the accusation, calling the report's assessment negative, false and unacceptable.
Jamal Khashoggi was an exiled journalist who was a frequent critic of the crown prince, murdered in October 2018.
In 2019, the crown prince took full responsibility for the killing since it happened on his watch, but denied ordering it.
Moreover, Pakistan says it recognizes Saudi efforts and measures to ensure the conviction and sentencing of the individuals responsible for the murder of Jamal Khashoggi.
Foreign Office spokesperson Zahid Hafeez Chaudhry, in a statement, said we have taken note of the public release of the US Administration's declassified intelligence report, containing its assessment on the killing of Jamal Khashoggi.
He further said that Saudi government has underlined that it took all possible measures within its legal system to ensure that the individuals responsible are properly investigated, convicted and sentenced and that justice is served.
“Pakistan underscores adherence to the rule of law, respect for national sovereignty, and protection and promotion of human rights by all states, in accordance with their respective Constitutional frameworks and international obligations,” he added.