ISLAMABAD: As Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Army Chief General Raheel Sharif embark on visits to Saudi Arabia and Iran on Monday, people at home and abroad will be waiting eagerly for the outcome of the initiative taken by the Pakistani leadership to bring the two rivals to the negotiating table.

“Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif will lead a high-level delegation to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Iran on Jan 18-19 to exchange views on regional and international issues,” said an official statement released by the Foreign Office on Sunday.

The statement didn’t mention if the prime minister would stay overnight in Saudi Arabia and fly directly from Riyadh to Tehran on Tuesday, or make separate visits to the two countries.

Neither Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid, who is the official spokesperson for the prime minister, nor the spokesman for the Foreign Office, Qazi Khalilullah, was available to shed light on the precise schedule of the prime minister.

With the army chief in the delegation, the visit has assumed added importance and it is hoped that Pakistan would make a serious attempt to defuse tension between the two countries.

Pakistan deeply concerned at the recent escalation of tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia, says Foreign Office

“Pakistan is deeply concerned at the recent escalation of tension between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Iran. The prime minister has called for resolution of differences through peaceful means, in the larger interest of Muslim unity, particularly during these challenging times,” added the official release of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday.

It further said that Pakistan had consistently advocated the policy of promoting brotherhood among member states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

The Foreign Office said in its statement that Pakistan enjoyed cordial and brotherly relations with both the countries, which were characterised by strong bonds of affinity, mutual respect and solidarity, and drew strength from shared historical, cultural and Islamic values.

Although, the two countries have been on the opposing sides for a long time, on matters relating to the Middle East or international issues, Riyadh and Tehran have of late become quite aggressive against each other.

The execution earlier this month of Saudi dissident Sheikh Nimr Baqir Al Nimr, who was a fierce critic of the royal family, sparked tensions bordering almost on hostility between the two countries.

Riyadh snapped diplomatic relations with Tehran after its embassy in Iran was ransacked by protesters.

With Pakistan embroiled in its own fight against terrorism, the sudden spike in rivalry between its two friendly countries put additional strains on the civil and military leadership.

Analysts regard the leadership’s diplomatic initiative a wise step to help Riyadh and Tehran prevent the current tensions from taking a hazardous turn which could endanger peace of the entire region.

Moreover, with successful culmination of talks between big powers and Iran over the latter’s nuclear issue, Pakistan certainly eyes certain economic benefits from Tehran re-entering world trade. “With Iran re-joining the world trade, Pakistan can look forward to meeting its energy needs from across the border by completing the pending gas pipeline,” remarked an analyst.

Published in Dawn, January 18th, 2016