- PM’s adviser says govt will ensure that standoff in Middle East does not evolve into sectarian conflict in Pakistan
- Says foreign secretaries of India and Pakistan will meet on Jan 15, India hasn’t confirmed or cancelled the meeting
Adviser to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz on Saturday made it clear that Pakistan will put its national and territorial interests first before deciding to play a role in the Saudi-Iran row.
“As of now, the issue seems sectarian in nature and we will protect our interests to make sure the row does not evolve into a sectarian conflict in our own country,” Aziz said while talking to reporters in Lahore alongside Federal Information Minister Pervez Rashid.
Saudi Arabia and Iran are at a tense standoff following a prominent Shia cleric’s execution by the former on January 2.
“Pakistan is waiting for the right time to play the role of a mediator,” said the adviser.
While cautioning that terrorists can take advantage of the standoff between the two countries, Aziz said “Muslim world must also play its due role in diffusing tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran.”
Earlier on Thursday, Pakistan said Islamabad will extend full support to the Saudi-led Islamic coalition if its sole purpose is to fight terrorism and is not against any specific country. The statement came following a meeting of Pakistani civil and military leadership with Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister.
TALKS WITH INDIA:
Commenting on the fate of the scheduled talks between Pakistan and India following the terror attack on Indian Air Force base in Pathankot, Aziz said Pakistan is investigating the incident while a planned meeting for the foreign secretaries of Pakistan and India was still in place.
Aziz said India has neither confirmed nor cancelled the talks.
Foreign secretaries of the two countries would meet on January 15, he added.
Earlier on Thursday, India had warned of calling off the upcoming foreign secretary talks in the wake of the Pathankot air base attack.
Without giving any deadline, Vikas Swarup, the Indian External Affairs Ministry spokesperson, said talks would be held only if Pakistan made good on its promise to “promptly and decisively” act on the evidence provided to Islamabad on the Pathankot attacker.
Saudi’s Champion was Sadam Hussain and he is gone now. Saudi government, if that is what you call it, is only a collection of Fat, Drunk, Drug abuser and women chancers who are out of touch with reality. They have no support interlay or externally. When it hits the fan they will leave with their bank account.
Have you ever seen a young healthy charismatic Leader in Saudi Arabia? They all are sick old looking inapt guys who can’t talk or even make a speech. You think these people think for a second what the consequences of their actions are? NO, they buy their way out of any problem or we rescue their Criminal Wahhabi behind each time. Get Real.
Would not comment on other points Esther but you can see that their Defense Minister is in Pakistan and he is a young man – even if his only qualification is that he is a prince.
Pakistan ko is masly k hal k lye kirdar ada karna chaiye
Knowing the nature of ethics of our politicians and their advisers and bureocrates, one would be predisposed not to believe them even when once in a blue moon they are telling the truth. In Pakistani culture and mindset, crippled by dacades old absence of rule of law, injustice and dominance of culture of might is right, ethics and morals have become a cumbersome burden, they would get one nowhere if one want to succede and make progress, it is for this reason Pakistan has become a grave yard of ethics and morals. Even religious leaders not associated with sectarianism behave like gansters with one another.
i do say thay learn a bit from past and this statement is a result of it . foreign pilicies of pakistan going better .
it well that Pakistan is puting its national and territorial interests first before deciding to play a role in the Saudi-Iran row .
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