Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Army Chief General Raheel Sharif after visiting Saudi Arabia reached Iran in order to defuse tensions between the two countries that have escalated in the recent weeks. In Saudi Arabia Prime Minister met with Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman at Al-Yamamah Palace. The Premier and the Army Chief held talks with Saudi leadership in hopes to end the rift between the two Muslim countries. In Iran Prime Minister along with the Army Chief held meetings with Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani and Iranian Defence Minister as part of peace efforts. Pakistan enjoys brotherly relations with both the countries and was deeply concerned at the standoff between the two countries. The serious and worrying circumstances prompted Prime Minister Nawaz to call for the resolution of differences through peaceful means, in the larger interest of Muslim unity during these challenging times when the Muslim world is already fighting a plethora of problems including the serious challenge of terrorism. Pakistan gives immense importance to relations with both brotherly countries; Saudi Arabia is a time tested friend of Pakistan and has always helped Pakistan when the country needed assistance. Whether it was the wars of 1965, 1971 or sanctions after the nuclear tests, Saudi Arabia has always come forward to help Pakistan. Similarly, Iran was the first country to recognize Pakistan as an independent state after its creation in August, 1947. The first Pakistani Premier Liaquat Ali Khan also visited Iran in 1949. The peace initiative of the Pakistan Government will go a long way to bring Iran and Saudi Arabia close to each other that will strengthen the Muslim Ummah.
Pakistan’s efforts to bring Iran and Saudi Arabia close to each other will strengthen the Muslim Ummah.