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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has decided to launch a mediation effort to end the standoff between Iran and Saudi Arabia amid growing international fears that a prolonged confrontation could have serious consequences for the region.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Army chief Gen Raheel Sharif would travel to Riyadh and Tehran together on Monday in an attempt to persuade them to de-escalate and resolve their disputes diplomatically.
Islamabad’s surprising move caught Pakistani and Iranian diplomats unawares. Foreign Ministry officials, who had this week briefed the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, had said the time was not right for mediating between the two countriess. The government had also this week cancelled a scheduled visit of Defence Minister Khawaja Asif to Iran for discussing defence ties.
It was not clear whether any fresh development had prompted the government to start mediation.
A senior source confided in Dawn that the mediation effort was Gen Raheel Sharif’s initiative. The source said the general had cautioned Saudi ministers, who met him last week, that tensions were harmful for the entire region.
Govt under pressure at home to avoid taking sides in the conflict
The government was also domestically under pressure to mediate between the two and avoid taking sides in the conflict.
Relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran have always been uneasy. The tensions heightened last year due to the strife in Yemen and the death of over 400 Iranian pilgrims during the Haj stampede. The execution earlier this month of Saudi dissident and Shia cleric Sheikh Nimr Baqir Al Nimr, who was a fierce critic of the royal family, further inflamed those tensions and Riyadh snapped its diplomatic relations with Tehran after its embassy was ransacked by protesters.
A number of other Arab countries also followed suit by ending their diplomatic ties with Tehran.
Pakistan too had been under pressure from Saudi Arabia to side with it in the row. Saudi defence and foreign affairs ministers visited Islamabad last week in connection with the aggravating situation.
The Pakistani move coincides with the expected implementation of the deal between Tehran and the West over its nuclear programme.
Additionally, Chinese President Xi Jinping will be visiting Saudi Arabia and Iran from Tuesday where he is expected to emphasise on defusing the situation.
“China will continue to carry forward China-Arab traditional friendship and … safeguard peace, stability and development of the region and the world at large,” a policy paper on China’s Arab policy launched by the Chinese foreign ministry read.
Published in Dawn, January 17th, 2016
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Comments (53) Closed
Jan 17, 2016 08:29am
Excellent step towards peace and unity.
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Jan 17, 2016 08:31am
Weldon this is what demand of present time.
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Jan 17, 2016 08:42am
Very good move, I am sure both countries will value this initiative.
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Jan 17, 2016 08:45am
Charity begins at home. First clean up your own house and put it in order. We have to clean up 40 years of mess.
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Jan 17, 2016 08:45am
Excellent win-win move, both domestically and on international front. The General's vision is all that is needed to put Pakistan ages ahead of so much of petty politics on both the fronts. God bless you Shariefs!
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Jan 17, 2016 08:54am
Excellent move by Pakistan and I am so happy to hear that. Continued bad relations and a conflict between Saudi Arabia and Iran can have very serious ramification in the region and in the Islamic world. It is time for both the countries need to take a "chill pill".
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Jan 17, 2016 09:04am
It's a good initiative from Pakistan. It's good to see that China also step in to ease the tensions among the Islamic countries.
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Jan 17, 2016 09:16am
Good timing!
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Jan 17, 2016 09:18am
Good initiative to try and bring the two sides together. Iran and Saudi Arabia, both hold immense strategic importance for Pakistan.
One being a resourceful neighbour and another being a home for millions of expat Pakistanis.
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Jan 17, 2016 09:20am
Another gigantic step!
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Jan 17, 2016 09:21am
The two regional countries should stop interfering in each other countries and mind their own business as this is the way forward but if they take dictation from outside then the region will face mayhem and chaos
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Jan 17, 2016 09:26am
Excellent Move in the right direction.
Contrary to what has been reported on the western media, i have observed that Pakistani public is always neutral and don't have any kind of sectarian violence other than what has inflamed from foreign forces. This is the perfect response that Pakistani public desired for both nations.
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Jan 17, 2016 09:46am
With removal of sanctions from Iran, messing with them by siding with Saudis is not an option. The best way to stay neutral is to become a mediator ;)
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Jan 17, 2016 09:51am
Very good timing, a trip the nation will happily pay from it's coffers.
I wish them success and advice them to stay in a good hotel and spend well, but bring us the good news that you have diffused the tensions.
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Jan 17, 2016 10:00am
A very welcoming initiative indeed. But a little premature in the present circumstances. Now, when the tempers run high at both ends and the hard stance they are taking. A breakthrough change in the situation does not seem evident with such visit. It was better if the ground would have been prepared by initiating the process at the foreign minister level and slowly proceeding to this level. We wish good luck to our PM and Army Chief.
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Jan 17, 2016 10:02am
Excellent move. Moreover Pakistan should mobilize other brotherly and friendly countries to play their part in defusing the rising tension between two brotherly Muslim countries.
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Jan 17, 2016 10:02am
Why not Saudi Arabia and Iran come to Pakistan to mediate and sort out their differences in front of each other?
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Jan 17, 2016 10:07am
It was about time. Pak should put pressure on both sides that solution lies in talks and more talks and that for the sake of the Muslim world we can not afford any further conflict or tension in the region.
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Jan 17, 2016 10:08am
That's a really good move!
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Jan 17, 2016 10:13am
Excellent move. The present civilian-military leadership is acting maturely. They have taken some bold steps for which both NS and Raheel should be applauded...credit where it is due.
Saudi-Iran Unity (or some form of interaction between the two) is the need of the hour not least because both are equally responsible for destroying peace in the muslim world by shamelessly trying to force their particular version on others.
This is about mediation not about taking sides or sending troops anywhere. Some form of diplomatic interaction (if not friendship) between Saudia and Iran is essential for minimising extremism in the muslim world. Both have done enough harm through their proxy wars in other countries.
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Jan 17, 2016 10:17am
If Pakistan succeeded to diffuse the tension between Iran and KSA, and normalize their relation, it will be high be highly regarded not only in Islamic countries but at World too. Persuade them to restore diplomatic relations first. Pray for the success.
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Jan 17, 2016 10:25am
@Sunil I think pak should mediate all countries crisises..everyone trusts pakistan
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Jan 17, 2016 10:31am
Do you know what the root of mediation is? Mediocrity!... best of luck... The ideological battle between Iran and Saudi is many centuries old...it is time they need to rethink and think outside the box... I say you don't need religion, or political ideology, to understand human nature. Science reveals that human nature is greedy and selfish, altruistic and helpful.... The question is what we choose and what we want....
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Jan 17, 2016 10:38am
Pakistan should not take sides regardless of the outcome and remain neutral. Peace can only be achieved through dialogue alone and we may think that wars solve problems but we are wrong as it only brings pain, suffering, desperations, and poverty. There are no trophies or winning sides in war, it just breeds hatred. Instead of spending money on this, Pakistan should have invited both countries for mediation rather than going to them. Knowing our politicians they will be staying 10 star hotels... Hopefully something positive comes out of this trip amd we see a long lasting peace.
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Jan 17, 2016 10:40am
It is encouraging to note Pakistan undertaking a mature role. It should in its posture convey the role of being balanced , ethical and just. Several times on the visits of royal it has inclined towards KSA. Whereas the territorial integrity of KSA is important--what if it attacks Yemen , Bahrain or bankrolls activities which are detrimental for the region. Not long ago it attacked Iraq with USA . Efforts should be undertaken that it does not culminate in An Arab/non Arab conflict nor sectarian hues should be accorded to minor disputes. None of such acts are Islamic or sanctioned by Islam. There is turmoil in the region and it has to abate.
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Jan 17, 2016 10:46am
Very good move if both countries accept its good ut if they even didnt agree some how but still shows the maturuty at our foriegn policy desk...
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Jan 17, 2016 10:58am
A good gesture from Pakistan and China that would, we hope, reduce the tension of war in the region. It is a call of the day that Saudi Arabia and Iran should now come on the same page to save the region from complete destruction.
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Jan 17, 2016 11:03am
Bold step by Pakistan should be appreciated.
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Jan 17, 2016 11:05am
A leading role, which we expect ever
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Jan 17, 2016 11:11am
Best of luck Sharif's. If you succeed to bring them to the table it would not only be good for the entire region but It will also erase the taints off the Paks face in the eyes of international community
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Jan 17, 2016 11:18am
An excellent gesture...!!!
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Jan 17, 2016 11:21am
i strongly believe Pakistan is only country which can do this job very effectively. I suggest Iran and KSA should also devise a way to achieve higher oil prices otherwise economy of Gulf countries will be in danger.
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Jan 17, 2016 11:52am
Welcome move indeed, it seems that Pakistan has finally learned something from its past.
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Jan 17, 2016 12:00pm
Good move. This will preempt any move by either party to force Pakistan to side with them in an escalation and ensure our neutrality.
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Jan 17, 2016 03:10pm
Sanctions lifted on IRAN. Pakistan should avail the opportunity of gas/ oil from IRAN. The upcoming visit of China president to IRAN in few days, shows the importance of IRAN after sanctions.
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Jan 17, 2016 03:19pm
Pakistan's effort of mediation between SA and Iran must be tuned with China, whose president is also visiting these countries at the same time.
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Jan 17, 2016 05:42pm
an optimal approach, its better to mediate than playing as a neutral. Both archrivals should look for mutual interests in their bilateral relations and in the region. The dividends of peace should be realised to incumbant leadership of both Iran and Saudi.
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Jan 17, 2016 05:52pm
I don't think it's a good idea to meddle into the affairs of two stubborn enemies. whilst Saudis have been pestering us to take their side there is no mention of Iran approaching Pakistan for any help let alone request to diffuse tension with Saudis. any such attempt may be cold shouldered by Iran. hence let them decide what these two rivals want to do. let's mind our own business.
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Jan 17, 2016 06:17pm
A wonderful initiative! It is not in our interest to alienate any of the two brotherly nations.
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Jan 17, 2016 06:28pm
It is difficult to believe that just a visit by PM and COAS will mend and solve all the problems between Iran and Saudi.. Just to show the world that we are also doing some thing......
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Jan 17, 2016 08:15pm
Well done Pakistan. You are showing your regional power credentials.
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Jan 17, 2016 08:35pm
Our PM saheb has been to Riyadh on a number of occasions but not visited brotherly and next door neighbour Iran even once in the recent past. Now that he is going in the company of army chief it would be highly appreciated if the two avail of this opportunity to kick-start the Iran gas pipeline project. Since the sanctions on Iran stand removed there is no reason of any further delay in this respect.
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Jan 17, 2016 11:02pm
@citizen -- The objective is try to find common ground and end conflict between them. Their problems will NOT be solved due to this visit. But NOT to escalate current crises any further...no?
Its a first step. Try to be positive and not pessimist.
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Jan 17, 2016 11:12pm
peace is the solution of every problem
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Jan 17, 2016 11:19pm
Good initives by Pakistan. I think Saudis are over reacting at the burning of its embassy. Iran has apologized for it and have fired the city police and have taken action against people who were supposed to protect it.
This conflict of interest and ego should not become Shia/ sunni conflict of Iraq and Syria in Pakistan. They should stop interfering in each other affairs .
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Jan 17, 2016 11:26pm
Frankly and ironically Raheel is more diplomatic then NS. He is always making the right moves, right analysis and does the right things. Even here he seems to take a cautious and diplomatic approach. If it were NS there would be PK soldiers fighting in Yemen and unrest in Balochistan right now.
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Jan 17, 2016 11:46pm
This is what we call statesmanship; saving the situation from worsening , rather than siding with one or the other to serve cause of expediency or exigency.
Thanks to General Raheel Shariff and his team for leading the Government in the right direction. The outcome, I am sure, will bear fruitful results and win over National and international acclaim.
Till than, all the best.
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Jan 18, 2016 12:49am
Good luck General.neutrality and pragmatism go a long way - especially among 2 belligerent brothers who ought to be united not divided as per wishes of west and Israel
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Jan 18, 2016 02:46am
If they are sincere in resolving regional issues both parties should sit down and talk rather than fight each other.
Who is going to benefit from the widening of the gulf between them two?
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Jan 18, 2016 03:07am
good step this improve Pakistan image
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Jan 18, 2016 03:56am
Only if the leadership in both these countries realisze that some players in the international arena would not want peace in the region. They need to understand who benefits from all this mess. Pakistan and Turkey need to play a big roll in mediation process.
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Jan 18, 2016 04:47am
Considering the domestic political situation, hyperactive religious leaders in both countries and also the divide between both sects in Pakistan is of serious nature challenging the statehood, but one cannot sit back and allow things to get more serious, action is needed but first and foremost Pakistan must clearly take a position of not involving religious based politics in evolving national strategies.
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Jan 18, 2016 07:19am
Pakistan must play fair and square diplomatic roll to ease the tension between the two countries and must not take sides of any country at any cost. I hope pakistani think tanks think wisely keeping in mind long term goals for Pakistan's interests.
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