Summary The minister said the alliance has no military objectives.
ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) - Referring to 34-member alliance of Islamic countries proposed by Saudi Arabia, Minister for Defence Khawaja Muhammad Asif told the National Assembly on Tuesday that it is still evolving and its scope and participation is being discussed.
The minister said the alliance has no military objectives and aimed at to prepare a joint counter-terrorism narrative.
On Pakistan‘s mediation between Saudi Arabia and Iran, he said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif s talks with Saudi leadership were very encouraging and there was a good response from Saudi Arabia.
Khawaja Asif said the Prime Minister is holding talks with the Iranian leadership today under the same spirit and hoped that the Prime Minister s visit will be successful.
He said the aim of the visit is to defuse tensions between the two Muslim countries. It is also aimed to remove irritants emerged in the unity of Muslim Ummah.
He pointed out that Pakistan is playing a mediation role which is also a desire of Parliament.
Saudi Arabia and a number of its Arab allies cut diplomatic ties with Iran in early January, sending already tense relations between the rival nations to a new low.
Riyadh reacted after protesters burned Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran after the kingdom on January 2 executed Shia cleric Nimr al-Nimr.
He was among 47 people put to death in a single day for "terrorism". Most of those executed were Sunnis.
