ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office (FO) on Monday expressed Pakistan’s hope that Turkey and Saudi Arabia will conduct a join investigation into journalist Jamal Khashoggi’s disappearance.
Khashoggi went missing after entering the Saudi Arabian consulate in Istanbul on October 2. Turkish officials believe The Washington Post columnist was murdered inside the consulate.
Saudi Arabia has consistently denied the allegations.
“We understand that the investigation is ongoing and it would therefore be appropriate to await its outcome.” FO Spokesperson Dr Muhammad Faisal said in response to a question about Khashoggi’s disappearance.
The Organisation for Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has also lauded the decision by Saudi Arabia and Turkey to form a joint investigative team to probe into the matter.
“The two countries are capable of presenting a model of bilateral cooperation in the most difficult circumstances, as well as the means to produce results that translate into their good intentions and the depth of good inherent in their leadership,” said OIC Secretary General Dr Yousef Al Othaimeen.
According to Arab News, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Egypt, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Yemen and Jordan have supported Saudi Arabia on the matter.
US President Donald Trump threatened “severe punishment” if Turkish allegations that Jamal Khashoggi, who was a US resident, was murdered inside the consulate.
