Clinton stresses importance of defense minister's US visit

Washington, April 14: Minister of Defense Prince Salman expressed thanks and appreciation for the reception he was accorded in the United States in a meeting with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Thursday.

“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States of America are friendly countries that share many common interests,” Prince Salman said.

The prince added that his current US visit is a continuation of the distinguished relations between the two countries.

“The United States of America considers the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as a close and strategic partner in many critical issues facing the world today,” Hillary Clinton said welcoming the prince to the United States.

Clinton said Prince Salman's visit was very important.In a press statement after the reception, the prince said he conveyed Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah's greetings to US President Barack Obama during his meetings with Obama. The prince also met with US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and other senior officials.

The reception was attended by Minister of State Musaed Al-Aiban and Saudi Ambassador to Washington Adel Al-Jubeir.

Earlier, the prince also met with Director of the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) Lt. Gen. Patrick O'Reilly and discussed bilateral issues of mutual concern, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Prince Salman arrived on Tuesday from London where he held talks with Prime Minister David Cameron, Defense Secretary Philip Hammond and Foreign Secretary William Hague on strengthening bilateral relations.

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Pak jail authorities say Imran Khan is alive and healthy after ‘murder’ rumours spark panic

News Network

November 27,2025

Authorities at Pakistan’s high-security Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi on Wednesday dismissed speculation about the condition of imprisoned former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, rejecting rumours that he had been moved out of the facility or was in danger. Officials said Khan was in “good health” and described the viral death claims as “baseless.”

“There is no truth to reports about his transfer from Adiala Jail,” the Rawalpindi prison administration said in a statement, according to Geo News. “He is fully healthy and receiving complete medical attention.”

Amid swirling rumours on social media, Imran Khan’s party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), urged the federal government to issue an official clarification and demanded that authorities allow his family to meet him immediately, Dawn reported.

The frenzy began after Khan’s three sisters called for an impartial probe into what they described as a “brutal” police assault on them and other PTI supporters outside Adiala Jail last week. Soon after, several social media handles circulated unverified claims alleging that Khan had been “killed” inside the prison.

The rumours intensified when a handle named “Afghanistan Times” claimed that “credible sources” had confirmed Khan’s “murder” and that his body had been moved out of the jail — allegations that have not been verified by any credible agency.

Imran Khan, PTI’s patron-in-chief, has been lodged in the Rawalpindi prison since August 2023 in multiple cases. For over a month, an undeclared restriction has prevented family members and senior PTI leaders from meeting him. Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has reportedly been denied access despite making seven attempts.

In a letter to Punjab Police Chief Usman Anwar, Khan’s sisters — Noreen Niazi, Aleema Khan, and Dr. Uzma Khan — said they were “peacefully protesting” outside the jail when police allegedly launched an unprovoked assault after streetlights were switched off.

“At 71, I was seized by my hair, thrown to the ground and dragged across the road,” Noreen Niazi said, alleging that other women present were also slapped and manhandled.

Adiala Jail officials reiterated that speculation over Imran Khan’s health was unfounded and insisted that his well-being was being ensured, Geo News reported.

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