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ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan has made considerable progress in its bid to defuse tension between Saudi Arabia and Iran which followed the uprisings against Gulf regimes, The Express Tribune has learnt.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar’s recent visit to Saudi Arabia was designed to mediate between the two countries. Strained relations between them touched their lowest ebb after Riyadh accused Tehran of instigating demonstrations in Bahrain and interfering in Arab countries’ internal affairs.
The Saudi foreign minister expressed support for Pakistan’s efforts in promoting peace and stability in the region during his talks with Khar, media reports said. However, Saudi Arabia did ask Pakistan to use its influence over Iran to persuade it to avoid interfering in Arab countries’ affairs.
Riyadh’s positive response came after Khar had extensive discussions with key Saudi leaders including Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal, Secretary-General of the National Security Council Prince Bandar Bin Sultan and Saudi Interior Minister Mohammad Bin Naif.
Islamabad took the initiative after Tehran expressed its desire to improve relations with Saudi Arabia that have worsened after Riyadh sent troops to Bahrain to help Manama curb bloody demonstrations.
Iran’s stance was communicated to Pakistan on April 20 when Interior Minister Rehman Malik had a meeting with Iran’s Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi. Malik, who went to Tehran as a special envoy of President Asif Ali Zardari, also met Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and delivered President Zardari’s message.
Last month, Prince Bandar had also visited Islamabad as a special emissary of King Abdullah to seek Pakistan’s help in overcoming the violent situation in Bahrain. His visit to Islamabad was followed by trips of delegates from Bahrain and the UAE.
Pakistan has assured Riyadh and Tehran that it will continue to contribute to the normalisation of their ties.
Upon her return, Khar said that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have agreed to work towards harnessing harmony and unity in the Muslim world while Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani directed the ministry of foreign affairs to ensure a detailed follow-up on the understanding reached between Islamabad and Riyadh.
Khar told the prime minister that during her meetings with Saudi officials, it was agreed that an institutional mechanism will be established to promote cooperation and collaboration between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia in the fields of investment, finance, trade, defence and export of manpower from Pakistan.
Khar also met Saudi Finance Minister Dr Hamad bin Sulaiman and discussed cooperation in economic areas and means of bolstering economic ties.
http://tribune.com.pk/story/158926/...akes-progress-in-defusing-saudi-iran-tension/
Pakistan has made considerable progress in its bid to defuse tension between Saudi Arabia and Iran which followed the uprisings against Gulf regimes, The Express Tribune has learnt.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar’s recent visit to Saudi Arabia was designed to mediate between the two countries. Strained relations between them touched their lowest ebb after Riyadh accused Tehran of instigating demonstrations in Bahrain and interfering in Arab countries’ internal affairs.
The Saudi foreign minister expressed support for Pakistan’s efforts in promoting peace and stability in the region during his talks with Khar, media reports said. However, Saudi Arabia did ask Pakistan to use its influence over Iran to persuade it to avoid interfering in Arab countries’ affairs.
Riyadh’s positive response came after Khar had extensive discussions with key Saudi leaders including Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal, Secretary-General of the National Security Council Prince Bandar Bin Sultan and Saudi Interior Minister Mohammad Bin Naif.
Islamabad took the initiative after Tehran expressed its desire to improve relations with Saudi Arabia that have worsened after Riyadh sent troops to Bahrain to help Manama curb bloody demonstrations.
Iran’s stance was communicated to Pakistan on April 20 when Interior Minister Rehman Malik had a meeting with Iran’s Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi. Malik, who went to Tehran as a special envoy of President Asif Ali Zardari, also met Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and delivered President Zardari’s message.
Last month, Prince Bandar had also visited Islamabad as a special emissary of King Abdullah to seek Pakistan’s help in overcoming the violent situation in Bahrain. His visit to Islamabad was followed by trips of delegates from Bahrain and the UAE.
Pakistan has assured Riyadh and Tehran that it will continue to contribute to the normalisation of their ties.
Upon her return, Khar said that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have agreed to work towards harnessing harmony and unity in the Muslim world while Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani directed the ministry of foreign affairs to ensure a detailed follow-up on the understanding reached between Islamabad and Riyadh.
Khar told the prime minister that during her meetings with Saudi officials, it was agreed that an institutional mechanism will be established to promote cooperation and collaboration between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia in the fields of investment, finance, trade, defence and export of manpower from Pakistan.
Khar also met Saudi Finance Minister Dr Hamad bin Sulaiman and discussed cooperation in economic areas and means of bolstering economic ties.
http://tribune.com.pk/story/158926/...akes-progress-in-defusing-saudi-iran-tension/
