Pakistan PM Imran Khan ready to help Iran-Saudi dialogue

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Tehran - "The issue is complex but it is possible to sort out differences through dialogue," the prime minister emphasised.

By Agencies

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Published: Tue 15 Oct 2019, 12:08 AM

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday reiterated that Pakistan was ready to act as facilitator between the brotherly Muslims countries of Saudi Arabia and Iran to sort out their differences through dialogue.
Addressing a Press conference along with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, the prime minister said in the past, Pakistan had hosted Saudi Arabia and Iran and was willing to facilitate the two countries to iron out their differences.
"The issue is complex but it is possible to sort out differences through dialogue," the prime minister emphasised.
Khan also explained that his trip to Iran would be followed by a visit to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday which was solely 'Pakistan's initiative' as they were not asked by anyone to undertake such trip.
"We would like to play the role of a facilitator and not mediator. We want to facilitate two brotherly Islamic countries," the prime minister added.
Khan stressed that it was imperative for everyone not to allow any conflict in the region as certain vested interests wanted to flare up tensions in the region.
"Mr President, the main reason I came here with my delegation is that we don't want conflict in the region. Pakistan suffered 70,000 casualties in the last 15 years in the 'war on terror', Afghanistan is still suffering, (there is) terrible devastation in Syria - we don't want another conflict in this part of the world," said Imran.
The prime minister termed his consultations with the Iranian president as very encouraging, and said he would go to Saudi Arabia with a positive mind.
He said Pakistan had deep-rooted bilateral brotherly ties with Iran while Saudi Arabia was Pakistan's closest friend as it had always helped them when they were in need. So for these reasons, he said, nobody wanted a conflict between Iran and Saudi Arabia.
"We recognise that it is a complex issue but we feel that it can be resolved through dialogue. What should never happen is a war between Saudi Arabia and Iran because this will not just affect this whole region - two brotherly countries will be affected - this will cause poverty in the world. Oil prices will go up," he stated.
The prime minister said that during his visit to New York, US President Donald Trump spoke to him and asked him to facilitate some sort of dialogue with Iran.


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