Summary PM Nawaz and army chief had left for Saudi Arabia on Monday
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif have landed in Tehran to meet Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, Dunya News reported Tuesday.
The Pakistani political and military leadership has come together to diffuse tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia. Saudi executed as many as 47 people in one day including prominent Shi’a Muslim cleric Sheikh Nimr Baqir al-Nimr on January 2.
Iran, being the Shia majority country protested against the executions leading to immediate cut-off of diplomatic terms. Meanwhile, ambassadors were called back by both the sides.
Prime Minister, Army Chief while on way to Iran
PM Nawaz and army chief had left for Saudi Arabia on Monday and held meetings with authorities including King Salman. The leaders discussed diffusion of row and progress in ties. However, Iran and Saudi have never enjoyed a complete trustworthy relation in the history of the two sides.
Nawaz, Raheel held meeting with Saudi King on Monday
An official statement issued by Saudi stated that King Salman welcomed the Pakistan Prime Minister and military leader. However, details about the discussions were not given out on January 18.
Nonetheless, Pakistan, as a peacemaker has taken step in bid to at least restore what there was before the executions.
On the other hand, other premiers, presidents and foreign secretaries have vowed to play part in reconciliation efforts. China’s Xi Jinping and Indonesian President are among the vowers.
Know more: As Xi heads into Saudi-Iran feud, China says aims for balance
Sheikh Nimr Baqir al-Nimr was executed for alleged terrorism.
On January 7, Saudi Foreign Minister (FM) Adel Bin Ahmed al-Jubeir visited Islamabad and met PM Nawaz and the army chief. The meetings discussed mutual relations and the situation prevailing in Middle East.
Adel bin Ahmed al-Jubeir appreciated Pakistan’s role in war against terror and said that Pakistan’s role in the region’s stability is exemplary.
In early January, Pakistan authorities stated that the country welcomes Saudi coalition of 34 countries to counter terrorism in the Muslim world.
However, in 2014, after the coalition was announced, Pakistan had stated that it would not dispatch its troops and maintained a relatively unclear stance.
