Grave dangers face Muslim world in light of Saudi-Iran standoff

Pakistan is concerned over recent tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran that spiralled after the execution of Shia scholar Sheikh Nimr al Nimr, the Adviser to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz said in a policy statement he read before the National Assembly on Tuesday.

The Muslim World faces grave dangers in the situation that has risen in wake of the Saudi-Iran conflict, Dawn News quoted Aziz as saying.

He expressed concern that terrorists can use the diplomatic crisis in Middle East to their advantage.

The statement follows criticism from opposition parties which lashed out at the government in the National Assembly for not coming up with a clear stance on the situation arising out in the region because of the tension between Saudi Arabia and Iran and called for a parliamentary briefing on the issue.

In his statement, Aziz maintained that Pakistan will continue to play its role to ease tension between Iran and Saudi Arabia and it advocates unity among the Muslim countries.

Aziz said the National Assembly would be given an in-camera briefing on the Saudi-Iran tensions.

National interest will be given priority in context of the diplomatic row in Middle East, he said.

Pakistan disapproved on Monday a mob attack on Saudi Arabia’s embassy in Tehran, which sparked a diplomatic crisis between Iran and Arab countries, Dawn newspaper reported.

A scheduled Jan 18 trip by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif to Tehran, according to a diplomatic source, has become uncertain following the tiff between Saudi Arabia and Iran.

Source: MENA