Saudi-iran row: Pakistan, Turkey urged to help end crisis

LAHORE: The escalating tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran could spread to other countries and even affect Pakistan, said Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) acting chief Liaqat Baloch. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif should seek support from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for defusing the situation, he said talking to the media men after taking oath as acting ameer of the JI, during the two day visit of Sirajul Haq to Qatar. Liaqat Baloch warned the western countries not to add fuel to the fire as the conflict would not remain confined to the Muslim world but would engulf other nations as well. He deplored that the Muslim world was facing challenges from all sides but unfortunately, the OIC was totally paralysed.  He said that the prevailing situation required a strong Islamic bloc having a clear-cut stance on all issues, besides a sound defence, strong economy and political set-up.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 8^th, 2016.