Pakistan on Monday expressed its full support for Kingdom of Jordan, led by King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein, the Foreign Office said in a statement.
"Pakistan is following the situation in Jordan," FO spokesperson Zahid Chaudhri said, adding, "Pakistan fully supports the right of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to preserve its security, stability and sovereignty."The statement comes at a time when tensions appear to be high within Jordan’s royal household after Prince Hamza bin Al Hussein, the former crown prince and half-brother of ruling monarch Abdullah, was reportedly been placed under house arrest.
Prince Hamza, in a voice recording released on Monday, said that he would disobey orders by the army not to communicate with the outside world.
The half-brother of King Abdullah and former heir to the throne said in the recording released by the country’s opposition that he would not comply after being barred from any activity and told to keep quiet.
While Prince Hamza is not seen as a direct threat to the king, his actions suggest he is keen to shore up his position with ordinary Jordanians after he was removed from the royal succession.
“For sure I won’t obey when they tell you that you cannot go out or tweet or reach out to people but are only allowed to see the family. I expect this talk is not acceptable in any way,” he said in the recording he circulated to friends and contacts.
On Saturday, the military warned the prince over actions it said were undermining “security and stability” in Jordan. Prince Hamza later said he was under house arrest. Several high-profile figures were also detained.
Officials announced on Sunday that Prince Hamza had liaised with people who had contacts with foreign parties in a plot to destabilise Jordan and he had been under investigation for some time.
Jordan’s neighbours and allies expressed solidarity with King Abdullah over the security measures in the kingdom, an important ally of the United States.
Jordan has appreciated Pakistan's continuous efforts for peace and stability in the region, according to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
The military's media wing said that Ambassador of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Major General Ibrahim Yali Muhammad (Osta Almadani) called on Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Thursday.
During the meeting matters of mutual interest including strengthening of bilateral security and defence cooperation between the two countries were discussed.
On Wednesday, Ambassador of United States Paul Wayne Jones appreciated Pakistan’s positive role for Afghan reconciliation process and ensuring peace and stability in the region.
The army chief thanked the ambassador, who was on his farewell visit, for his services and contributions in Pakistan.
On August 12, the outgoing Afghan envoy Shukrullah Atif Mashal also paid a farewell call on General Qamar at GHQ in Rawalpindi.
“The dignitary thanked the COAS for support to Afghanistan and Afghan peace process during his tenure,” the ISPR said in a statement.
Islamabad has played a key role in brokering the talks between the Taliban and the US and has since then been closely engaged with all relevant parties to take this process to the logical conclusion.
The first round of intra-Afghan dialogue is expected to take place in Doha while talks may shift to either Germany or Norway in the second phase.
The intra-Afghan talks will discuss the future political dispensation of Afghanistan and a power-sharing arrangement between the Taliban and other groups.
On its part, the US plans to limit its number of troops to 5,000 by the end of November. Pakistan, China and other neighbours of Afghanistan want the orderly withdrawal of foreign forces from the Afghan soil.
This past weekend Pakistan welcomed the Afghan Loya Jirga or Grand Assembly's approval to release remaining 400 Taliban prisoners, paving way for the much-anticipated intra-Afghan talks.
Jordan’s King Abdullah II has decided to handle the issue with former Crown Prince Prince Hamza within the family, and has entrusted the matter to his uncle, Prince Hassan, the Royal Court announced.
“In light of King Abdullah II’s decision to deal with the issue of Prince Hamza within the framework of the Hashemite family, His Majesty entrusted this path to his uncle, Prince Al Hassan,” the court said in a statement on Twitter.
Prince Hassan is a former crown prince and brother of late King Hussein, father of King Abdullah and Prince Hamza.
The Royal Court said Prince Hassan had communicated with Prince Hamza, and “confirmed that he is committed to the approach of the Hashemite family, and the path that the King entrusted to Prince Hassan.”
