- Says he has conveyed concerns of Saudi Arabia to Iran and now Iranian concerns will be conveyed to Saudi Arabia
- Pakistan takes Iran as very important neighbouring Muslim country as well people have a great affinity with Iranian brothers: COAS
TEHRAN, January 19: The meeting between Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani was held in Tehran. The members of the Iranian cabinet were also present in the meeting. The meeting was an effort to defuse tension between Iran and Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said that Pakistan’s top priority is to defuse tension between Saudi Arabia and Iran. He said Saudi Arabia has said that it has not enmity with Iran and it wants good relations with all Islamic countries.
Army Chief General Raheel Sharif, National Security Advisor, Lt. General (rtd) Nasir Khan Janjua and Special Assistant to Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi were also present in the meeting.
While talking to media in Tehran after meeting with Iranian president, Nawaz Sharif said that Pakistan considers defusing standoff between the two countries as sacred mission and both of them hailed Pakistan’s efforts for mediation.
Expressing satisfaction over his visits of Saudi Arabia and Iran, the
Prime Minister said that Pakistan will appoint a focal person on Saudi-Iran issue and sincere efforts are being done in this regard.
Nawaz Sharif said we will also request both countries for appointing focal persons to end the differences. He said Saudi Arabia and Iran are aware about the potential threat of terrorism and today Muslim
Ummah needs unity and solidarity to face the challenges. He said extremism and terrorism are common threats and joint efforts needed to overcome it.
He said Pakistan took decision to mediate between the two countries on its own. The Prime Minister said both Saudi Arabia and Iran are aware of potential threat. He said the terrorism is biggest enemy and there is need to fight terrorism jointly. He said Pakistan is already fighting war against terrorism. He said Saudi Arabia and Iran are also aware about the threat. Prime minister said he is satisfied with the meetings with Saudi and Iranian leadership. He said Iran has also hailed Pakistani efforts. He said Pakistan has no enmity with Iran, adding that the matters could move forward easily. Prime Minister said Saudi Arabia has said it has no enmity with Iran and wants good relations with all Islamic countries. He said Iranian leadership said that it wants to decrease tension with Saudi Arabia. Nawaz Sharif said he has conveyed the concerns of Saudi Arabia to Iran and now Iranian concerns will be conveyed to Saudi Arabia. Prime minister said he is making efforts to ease tension between the two countries while considering it responsibility and need no appreciation over the matter. Earlier, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif held a meeting with Iranian Defence Minister Hossein Dehghan in Tehran soon after his arrival. The Prime Minister while talking to him said unity of Muslim Ummah is need of the hour. – Agencies
