Gulf tensions: Imran asks Qureshi to visit Iran, KSA, US

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan asked Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Wednesday to visit Iran, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and United States of America (USA) to meet his counterparts, and convey a clear message that Pakistan was ready to play its role for peace, but it could never again be part of any war.

He also asked Chief of the Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa to contact relevant military leaders of Iran, KSA and USA to convey the same message. “I have asked FM Qureshi to visit Iran, KSA & USA to meet with respective foreign ministers, Secretary of State; & COAS Gen Bajwa to contact relevant military leaders to convey a clear message: Pakistan is ready to play its role for peace but it can never again be part of any war,” the Prime Minister said in a tweet posted on his social media account.

Earlier in a meeting with Omani Minister for Endowment and Religious Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Muhammad bin Abdullah Assalami, the Prime Minister expressed Pakistan’s deep concern over the evolving situation in the Gulf and Middle East and underlined the imperative of avoiding any further escalation.

He stressed war was in nobody’s interest and called for immediate measures for de-escalation, said a press release issued by PM Office’s Media Wing. Recalling that Pakistan had suffered greatly due to earlier regional conflicts, Khan made it clear that it would not be part of any conflict in the region. He also recalled his earlier efforts for facilitating contacts between the United States and Iran as well as Iran and Saudi Arabia for peaceful resolution of differences and disputes.

He said Pakistan would always be a partner for peace and would continue to play its role in seeking to defuse tensions, prevent a conflict, and preserve peace. During the meeting, the recent developments in the Middle East and Gulf region were discussed.

The Prime Minister also highlighted the humanitarian situation arising out of the inhuman lockdown in Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir for over five months and the discriminatory policies of the Bharatiya Janata Party government against minorities, especially Muslims. He stressed the international community to take urgent steps to address the situation.

While noting the traditionally close fraternal ties between Pakistan and Oman, the Prime Minister expressed the desire to further strengthen the bilateral cooperation in all fields. He also extended cordial greetings and best wishes for Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al-Said.