ISLAMABAD: United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon yesterday evening telephoned Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif urging him to use his good offices in resolving the standoff between Saudi Arabia and Iran.
Expressing his full confidence in the leadership of Prime Minister, UN Secretary General said :"Prime Minister, you have good relations with both the countries, Iran and Saudi Arabia and you can play a vital and pivotal role in finding a solution to the problem. The leader that you are Prime Minister! You can resolve that (issue)."
Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif briefed the Secretary General about his visits to Iran and Saudi Arabia.
Earlier on January 18th, Prime Minister alongwith Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif first landed in Saudi Arabia and after having discussion and meetings with the top leadership of the Kingdom later moved to Iran the next day on January 19th and tried to cool down the soaring tension between the two brotherly Islamic States.
The leadership of both the countries appreciated the endeavour of the Pakistani leadership to help normalise the relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Besides Army Chief General Raheel Sharif, Adviser to Prime Minister on National Security Lt. Gen.(Retd) Nasir Khan Janjua and Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi were also part of the Prime Minister’s entourage.–Staff Reporter