ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi announced on Wednesday that Saudi Arabia had responded positively to Prime Minister Imran Khan's initiative to calm tensions in the Gulf region by agreeing to give peace a chance.
“Saudi leaders have responded positively. It was agreed that diplomacy would be preferred and that differences would be resolved through dialogue. We had a good start, ”FM Qureshi told the media at a press conference at the Foreign Ministry on the prime minister’s visit on Tuesday, where the prime minister urged Saudi leaders to peacefully resolve disputes. Regional
The Prime Minister had during his visit to Saudi Arabia King Salman bin Abdul Aziz and Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman.
Mr. Qureshi said that during the talks in Riyadh, the Pakistani delegation shared Islamabad's perspective on the regional conflict, its assessment of the situation and "Iranian sentiments."
FM says that the clouds of war that had accumulated over the region are now dispersing
Khan visited Tehran last Sunday, where the Iranian leadership appreciated his efforts. Foreign Minister Javad Zarif said in an interview that Tehran was ready to talk with Riyadh, both directly and through intermediaries, and that Pakistan's efforts in this regard were welcome.
"If I had to present to you the crux of our discussion, I would say that the clouds of war and conflict that had gathered over the region are now dispersing," said Qureshi.
The foreign minister said Pakistan's main objective for the initiative was to prevent a military conflict that could have had devastating consequences for the region and the global economy.
Answering a question, he said the chances of a ceasefire in Yemen were brighter than ever.
Meanwhile, the Office of the Prime Minister, in a statement on the visit of Saudi Arabia, described the talks with Saudi leaders as "comprehensive and constructive." He said the two sides agreed to "remain committed" and continue the consultations to carry out the process.
Mr. Khan had conveyed in Pakistan the willingness to facilitate efforts to reduce tensions and resolve disputes and disputes by peaceful means, the statement said.
The mechanism to carry out the process was being negotiated, said Qureshi.
Earlier on Sunday, Prime Minister Khan, during his visit to Tehran, offered to organize talks between Iran and Saudi Arabia. Being fully aware of the complexity of the dispute in the Gulf, Pakistan began the mediation effort, said the foreign minister, recalling similar initiatives that the country had taken in the past. The positive commitments in Tehran and Riyadh were cause for hope, he said.
In addition to boosting the peace agenda, Khan informed Saudi leaders about the situation in Kashmir, controlled by India, where India continues its repressive actions that include continuous blockade, curfew and communication restrictions for 70 days that have severely impacted the lives of more than eight million cashmere. .
He said that the situation in Kashmir, controlled by India, had jeopardized peace and security in the region. Saudi leaders, according to the Prime Minister's Office, reiterated their support for the Kashmir cause and stressed the need to avoid escalating tensions (in the subcontinent) and the peaceful resolution of the dispute.
"The Saudi leadership reaffirmed its commitment to strengthen ties with Pakistan and reiterated the resolution to deepen bilateral collaboration in all fields, including trade, energy, security and defense," the statement added.
Posted on Dawn, October 17, 2019
Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1511266/riyadh-responded-positively-to-pms-initiative-qureshi