Pakistan to name focal person for resolving Saudi-Iran conflict

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif says he considers resolving the Riyadh-Tehran conflict a sacred mission

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said on Tuesday he considered ending the conflict between Saudi Arabia and Iran a sacred mission, Express News reported.

“Pakistan will appoint a focal person for the resolution of the issue and will ask the two countries also designate focal persons [to resolve the issue],” he said while talking to media after the meeting with Iranian President Hassan Rowhani.

PM Nawaz said Riyadh and Tehran were cognizant of the threat of terrorism and extremism, adding the Muslim world needed to bring unity in their ranks.

He added, “Pakistan is proud to have taken up role of a mediator.”

The prime minister and army chief General Raheel Sharif arrived in Tehran following their brief visit to Saudi Arabia in a bid to mend ties between the arch-rivals.

A meeting was also held between General Raheel and Iran's Defence Minister Hossein Dehghan, during which matters of regional security came under discussion.





The COAS reiterated that Pakistan considered Iran an important neighbour, and the people of Pakistan gave great affinity with the people of Iran.

COAS General Raheel Sharif met Defence Minister of Iran Hossein Dehghan on January 19, 2016. PHOTO: PID

He asserted that terrorism was a global threat, which had the potential of destabalising the region and requires a coordinated response.

The COAS also met Iran’s Secretary of Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani who is also military advisor to the Supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenai.

According the ISPR, matters related to regional security were discussed during the meeting.

The COAS said regional security and stability is paramount and stressed the need for opening up of communication channels between Iran and KSA to diffuse tension.

General Raheel said in order to counter emerging threats, greater Muslim unity is need of the hour.

“Menace of terrorism can only be addressed through coordinated response.”



Earlier in Saudi Arabia, the premier expressed deep concern over the recent escalation of tensions between the two nations, while calling for a resolution of differences through peaceful means in the larger interest of the Muslim population.

The prime minister recalled Pakistan's consistent policy of promoting brotherhood among the brother states of the Organisation of the Islamic Cooperation.

During the meeting, both sides exchanged views on various facets of enduring cooperation with regard to the Saudi initiative of formation of the coalition of Islamic countries against terrorism.



PHOTO: PM HOUSE

Tensions have been on the rise between Saudi Arabia and Iran ever since the execution of leading Shia cleric Nimr al Nimr by Riyadh earlier this month.

The Saudi move led to the storming of its diplomatic missions in Iran.The two countries then severed their diplomatic ties. Some other Arab countries also cut off ties with Iran.