As PM takes notice, Riaz Pirzada claims statement on Saudi Arabia was 'misquoted'

The minister had blamed Saudi Arabia’s alleged nexus with US for instability in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Inter Provincial Coordination Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada claimed on Wednesday that his statement regarding Saudi Arabia’s involvement in destabilising the country, had been misquoted and taken out of context.

The rebuttal came after Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif sought an explanation from Pirzada for the statement he made while addressing the two-day ‘Idea Conclave’ organised by the Jinnah Institute in Islamabad on Tuesday.

According to media reports, the minister had blamed the oil-rich kingdom’s alleged nexus with the United States for instability in the Muslim world, particularly in Pakistan.

“The Muslim world has also been damaged by the influx of Saudi money and we need to take ownership of our faith,” Pirzada was quoted as saying.

In his clarification, the minister alleged that the media had grossly misreported his statement and angled it negatively. "I was quoted out of context," Pirzada said, adding that what had been reported was not what he had said at all.

“I am ready to explain personally if the honourable prime minister deems so. It was not meant for embarrassing the PM or the government.”