ISLAMABAD – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has refuted rumorsthat Saudi Arabia has asked Pakistan to intervene and mediate between Iranand the kingdom.
In a press release issued on Friday, the MOFA has dismissed the reportsthat claimed Saudi authorities and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salmanhad conveyed a letter to Prime Minister Imran Khan to deliver itto President Hassan Rouhani for dialogue between Iran and Saudi Arabia.
“These reports are without any basis as no such letter or message wasconveyed, nor has Saudi Arabia asked Pakistan to play any mediatory rolewith Iran,” the foreign office said. The office further said that theinitiative for possibility of dialogue between Saudi Arabia and Iran, whichare two brotherly countries of Pakistan, is an effort by the PM ‘forensuring peace in the region’.
Both Foreign Office Spokesman Mohammad Faisal and PM’s special assistantNaeem ul Haque have confirmed the premier’s upcoming trip to Iran. The PMis expected to visit Iran today or on Sunday. Local media reports havesuggested that the PM is mediating at the request of the Saudi crownprince. The PM’s visit to Iran will be followed by his trip to Saudi Arabia.
Read Top Stories
On his visit to US, the PM said that President Donald Trump had asked himto help defuse tensions with Iran. The PM further said that he had alreadyspoken with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in an attempt to mediate. ThePM also added that prior to arriving in US, he had visited Saudi Arabia andspoken to MBS who also asked him to talk to Rouhani.
