No misunderstanding between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia: FM

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has said there has been no misunderstanding between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, rather the incumbent government has removed ones created in the past.

Talking to a private news channel, the foreign minister said the elements desiring to disintegrate the Muslim world are creating such perceptions.

The foreign minister was questioned about the perception that the upcoming Kuala Lumpur Summit was being raised as a parallel platform or against the Jeddha-based Organisation of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC),

He replied it is not being held for the first time, rather Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Muhammad had already organised such four sessions as his private initiative before assuming office.

He said Mahathir Mohammed has sent his foreign minister to Saudi Arabia to extend a formal invitation for the summit considering it a very vital member of the Muslim world.

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The foreign  minister referred to Pakistan’s role in lowering tensions in the Middle East, particularly between Saudi Arabia, Iran and Qatar.

“Consequent to Pakistan’s role, the Qatari prime minister has recently attended a GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) meeting in Riyadh,” Qureshi said.

“Prime Minister Imran Khan has visited both Tehran and Riyadh to remove misunderstandings between the two countries which helped avert an impending conflict.”

He said such perceptions are being created and fanned by the elements who have reservations over the Muslim countries joining heads to discuss their socioeconomic development and exploit their potential in the fields of skills and technology.

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Qureshi said having cordial ties with Saudi Arabia and Malaysia and being an OIC’s founding member, Pakistan is supposed to play its role to improve the strained ties between the Muslim countries.

Saudi Arabia is not pleased with Prime Minister Imran Khan’s decision to attend the KL Summit. This summit is perceived to be at the heart of ongoing unease between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.

PM Imran Khan visit was seemingly aimed to assuage Riyadh’s reservation about the conference to be held on December 18-20. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and Iranian President Hasan Rouhani would also be in attendance. Indonesian President Joko Widodo was also expected to attend but he is now sending a representative.