Islamabad - Pakistan yesterday remained non-committal to Riyadh on joining the 34-nation Saudi-led military coalition against terrorism and called for political solution to Saudi-Iran conflict, sources said.
This transpired after series of meetings of Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir with Pakistani leaders.
The Foreign Office however in a statement on the day-long working visit of the Saudi minister reiterated that Pakistan will always stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of Saudi Arabia against any threat to territorial integrity and sovereignty of Saudi Arabia.
The statement said that during his visit, Jubeir called on Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and held delegation level talks with the Adviser to the PM on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, besides meeting with Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif at military General Headquarters in Rawalpindi.
Saudi foreign minister told PTV that he discussed with Pakistani leaders host of issues of strategic and bilateral interest.
His views were endorsed by Sartaj Aziz that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia has reiterated the resolve to increase their cooperation in various sectors.
Talking to media Thursday night, he said Saudi foreign minister’s visit to Pakistan was very fruitful as both the countries discussed regional situation and matters of mutual interest.
He said Pakistan has expressed concerns on the attack on Saudi Embassy in Tehran and growing tension between Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and Islamic Republic of Iran. He said efforts would be made to reduce this tension and draw a political solution to the situation.
On a question about 34-nations alliance led by KSA, Mr Aziz said role of every country in the alliance is voluntary and all the member states are free to define their role in the coalition like extending training in counter-insurgency. He added that Pakistan has always supported all alliances meant for fighting terrorism.
The visit of Saudi foreign minister comes after Pakistan last month distanced itself from the anti-Islamic State coalition but later announced its conditional joining of KSA-led group saying the country would first like to know what kind of role it was expected to play.
Pakistan had also declined a Saudi call to join a Riyadh-led intervention, backed by most Sunni Gulf Arab states, in Yemen last year to fight Iranian-allied Houthi rebels.
According to Foreign Office statement, the visiting minister briefed PM Nawaz on details of the “Islamic” coalition to fight terrorism. The prime minister stated that Pakistan welcomes Saudi Arabia’s initiative and stressed that Pakistan supports all such regional and international efforts to counter terrorism and extremism.
Al-Jubeir also briefed the PM on the recent escalation of tension between the kingdom and Pakistan’s immediate neighbour, Iran. Pakistan expressed deep concern at the tense situation and condemned the burning down of Saudi Embassy in Tehran.
The PM said the people of Pakistan will always stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of Saudi Arabia against any threat to territorial integrity and sovereignty of Saudi Arabia.
The statement, at the same time, added that Pakistan believes in respect for international norms and adherence to principle of non-interference. And, the prime minister called for resolution of differences through peaceful means in the larger interest of the Muslim unity in this challenging time.
Analysts have called for restrain and de-escalation of crisis between Saudi Arabia and Iran. “Pakistan should stay neutral and strive to de-escalate tension between the two Muslim countries”, former UN special envoy to Iraq Ambassador Jhangir Ashraf Qazi said. He was of the view of that Pakistan should clearly tell the Saudi friends that Pakistan cannot afford to indulge in their crises with its neighbour Iran.
Najam Rafique, Director Research, Institute of Strategic Studies, Islamabad also hoped that Pakistan would not take sides in Saudi-Iran crises. “In the given situation, Pakistan at the best can play the role bridge between Sauidi Arabia and Iran in de-escalating their tensions”, said Mr Rafique.
Nawaz Sharif in the meeting with Saudi foreign minister also called for further strengthening and expanding bilateral relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, in all fields of cooperation, including defence, security, trade and commerce. The Saudi minister briefed him on the ongoing programmes to enhance Saudi investment in critical sectors of Pakistan’s economy.
The visiting foreign minister also held delegation level talks with PM Adviser Prime Sartaj Aziz. In the talks, held under bilateral political consultation mechanism, the two sides discussed the ways and means to further expand areas of bilateral cooperation.
The two sides discussed ways to deepen bilateral cooperation in all fields and agreed to hold political consultations twice a year alternately in Islamabad and Riyadh.
The Adviser briefed the Saudi minister on the successful campaign that Pakistan has waged against the twin menace of terrorism and extremism. The two sides underscored the need to develop jointly a counter narrative against extremism and terrorism with the help of Ulema (religious scholars).
The two delegations also discussed regional and global issues of common concern. It was agreed that both countries would make a concerted effort to promote multi-faceted cooperation and work together to defeat common enemy – terrorism and extremism.