PM, COAS embark on Saudi-Iran peace mission

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif embarked on a peace mission to Saudi Arabia and Iran on Monday morning with an aim to ease tensions between the two countries.

Television footage showed the prime minister and army chief arriving at the airport and boarding an aircraft which shortly took off for Riyadh. The two leaders will later visit Iran's capital Tehran on Tuesday after an overnight stay in Saudi Arabia.

Islamabad has sought to avoid taking sides in the escalating dispute between Saudi Arabia and Iran, which grew after the execution of a prominent cleric by Riyadh sparked a bitter row between the two countries.

Saudi Arabia's execution of the cleric earlier this month was followed by Iranian demonstrators ransacking the Saudi embassy in Tehran and the Saudi consulate in Mashhad, prompting several of Riyadh's allies to break off diplomatic ties with Iran.

"Pakistan is deeply concerned at the recent escalation of tensions between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Iran," the foreign office said in a statement.
Photo shows the two leaders shortly before departing for Riyadh

"The Prime Minister has called for resolution of differences through peaceful means, in the larger interest of Muslim unity, particularly during these challenging times."

The prime minister's trip to Saudi Arabia follows the visit of both the Saudi foreign minister and deputy crown prince to Islamabad last week, underlining the closeness of the relationship between the two Muslim countries.

Official sources earlier confirmed to The News that the top civilian and military leaders will pay a day-long visit to Saudi Arabia on Monday where they will have meetings with King Salman bin Abdul Aziz and other senior royals. The discussion would focus on Saudi ties with Iran and developments in the Middle East.

After an overnight stay in Saudi Arabia, the Pakistani delegation will land in Tehran where talks will take place with Iranian President Dr Hassan Rouhani and other senior officials. The visiting leadership will have further discussions in the light of their talks in the Saudi capital.

Sources said Islamabad had been in contact with various capitals including Riyadh and Tehran to lessen tension for a number of days.

Chinese President Xi Jinping is also expected to visit Saudi Arabia and Iran besides Egypt in accordance with his earlier schedule on the conclusion of Prime Minister Nawaz's visit to the two countries.

Photo shows the two leaders boarding a plane to depart for Saudi Arabia