A high-ranking Pakistani official called for peaceful settlement of disputes between Iran and Saudi Arabia.
Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry also told IRNA on Thursday that Pakistan wants to see better relations between the two important Muslim states. “Restoration of relations and cooperation between Tehran and Riyadh will benefit all Muslims,” he said. Relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia soured on January 2, when Riyadh used attacks by protestors on its diplomatic premises in Tehran and Mashhad as an excuse for cutting relations with Tehran.
Attackers were angered by the Saudi execution of a top Shia cleric, Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr. The Iranian government condemned the attack and prosecuted the perpetrators.
Asked whether Pakistan will mediate between the two countries, Chaudhry said, “Islamabad hopes for peace, harmony and coordination among Muslims and is ready to play its role in realization of the goal.” Days after the severance of Tehran-Riyadh ties, a Pakistani delegation led by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif visited both countries but failed to ease tensions.
