Imran calls for Pak role in healing Iran-Saudi rift

Imran Khan

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan has said that Pakistan should not become part of any coalition against neighbouring Iran adding that efforts should be made to heal Iran-Saudi Arabia friction.
Talking to reporters he said being a nuclear state, Pakistan should play a "leading role" in resolving the Iran-Saudi Arabia standoff.
"If Pakistan becomes part of coalition, it will become difficult to play any role as mediator," Imran said while talking to reporters.
Imran held separate meetings with the ambassadors of Saudi Arabia and Iran before his Press talk. He feared that escalation of tension between the two Muslim countries would have a negative impact on Pakistan.
Referring to relations with the countries, the PTI chief said one was Pakistan's close friend and the other a neighbour.
"We are in opposition, but we have made our position clear. The government should make its position clear on the issue," he added.
He said learning from history Pakistan should not become part of any proxy war. He said that all political parties in Pakistan, including PTI, strongly condemned the terrorist attack on Indian Airbase in Pathankot.
According to the PTI chief, recent interactions between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif with his Indian counterpart were on a personal level. "The prime minister's meeting with Modi did not happen through foreign office. These contacts were personal. It would have been better if Sharif had got institutional feedback before the meeting." Imran alleged that these interactions were organised by Sharif's Indian business partner Jandal, who has also been maligning Pakistan's intelligence agencies. Prime minister's spokesperson Musaddiq rejected Imran's allegation. He said the premier has no personal agenda with India.
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