Islamabad - Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Bin Ahmed al-Jubeir earlier scheduled to visit Pakistan yesterday for a two-day visit will now arrive in Islamabad on January 7, Foreign Office has confirmed.
A statement issued on Sunday however did not state any reason for the postponement or rescheduling of Foreign Minister Adel Bin Ahmed al-Jubeir’s visit.
Diplomatic sources said it was because of timing of his visit (January 3-4) coincided with 3-day visit of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to Sri Lanka from January 4-6.
The visit of Saudi foreign minister to Pakistan has assumed more significance after flare up between his country and Iran, Pakistan’s immediate neighbor.
Riyadh on Saturday executed of 47 men, including a Shia leader Nimr al-Nimr, allegedly for their involvement in terrorism, a development many political observers and diplomats are looking as most ‘dangerous’ largely out of fear for its fallout on unity of Muslims.
Islamabad was ardently looking towards visit of any high ranking dignitary from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) after Riyadh announced last month formation of a 34-nation Islamic military coalition – including Pakistan and excluding Iran, Iraq and Syria – to combat terrorism and extremism.
The move was reluctantly welcomed by Pakistan; however, it announced its participation in the alliance in the light of its stance on countering terrorism and in accordance with the OIC and UN resolutions.
But later, Islamabad also made clear that Pakistan will participate after discussion with Riyadh about its ‘extent of participation’ in the Saudi-led military coalition.
Islamabad had already taken policy stance last year distanced itself from any direct engagement of its armed forces overseas after Riyadh sought its military aid against Houthi rebels in Yemen, making it clear to Saudi government that Pakistan will respond with all its means in case of any direct threat to KSA’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
Although government sources insist that purpose of Saudi foreign minister’s visit is to meet Pakistani leaders for further deepening of fraternal relations with Pakistan and exchange of ideas about regional and international situation, diplomatic sources still believe the visit will largely focus on Pakistan’s participation in the KSA-proposed military coalition.
Some Muslim diplomats based in Islamabad still sounding upbeat that Pakistan will play an important role in this coalition, and with its robust parliamentary democracy and decade-long expertise in countering terrorism it will take a decision to help promote Muslim unity.
On the other hand, policy experts and political observers believe that Pakistan will strike balance while taking any decision about its participation in the proposed military coalition. Some are of the view that Islamabad may also consult its strategic partner China before taking any decision which would have serious consequences in realising the potential of $46 billion China Pakistan Economic Corridor project sans Iran.