Though the government says the move is in response to retaliatory attacks on Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran, Al-Tayeb Zein al-Abidine, professor of political science at Khartoum University, said the move had been made for “pragmatic reasons” at a time when the country’s economy is in tatters. Talking to reporters after the meeting, Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari, who chaired the meeting, stated the Adviser updated the committee on Pakistan’s joining the Saudi-led Islamic military coalition.
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In July, in response to questioning, Minister of State for the Armed Forces Penny Mordaunt said that while there were “liaison personnel” working at the “Saudi and coalition air and maritime headquarters”, she added that “none of these personnel are participating directly in Saudi military operations”.
The info graphic, provided to The Daily Caller News Foundation by Saudi Arabia’s US embassy, was sent out to the embassy’s press list. Speaking to the National Assembly Foreign Affairs Committee at the Parliament House, Aziz said that matters between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have not been settled yet.
These religious differences are the primary issues that fuel the rebel factions seeking to overthrow the governments of Iran, Syria, Iraq and Yemen. The Advisor informed the Committee that Saudi Arabia is a close friend of Pakistan.
Investors intending to take out insurance on Saudi Arabian bonds would have to pay as much as they do with troubled Portugal.
Aziz also told the committee that Islamabad would rather play a mediatory role between Riyadh and Tehran – rather than taking sides – with a view to easing mounting tension between the two regional powers. The current split mirrors a fundamental ideological and strategic division across the Middle East that is now at least as significant as the Arab-Israeli divide, which defined Mideast conflicts over the past six decades.
INU- On Monday, Reuters reported upon the latest Saudi comments regarding the diplomatic fallout from Iranian protestors’ attacks on the Saudi embassy and consulate. “An emergency meeting of the OIC foreign ministers has been summoned in Jeddah where Pakistan will present important proposals to reduce the Iran-Saudi tension”, he said.
Meanwhile, responding to media queries, Foreign Office spokesperson Qazi Khalilullah clarified that the briefing was provided in an in-camera session. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoy multi-faceted cooperation including in the fields of defence and counter terrorism. He said Pakistani Muslims of all countries were equal.
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The unnamed source further said that King Salman has lost awareness of his surroundings, prompting physicians to advise his sons to restrict their father’s public appearances in a bid not to disclose the worsening conditions.
