'Pakistan ready to play constructive role between Iran & Saudi Arabia,' Imran Khan tells Iran envoy

[DeadBall]

'Pakistan ready to play constructive role between Iran & Saudi Arabia,' Imran Khan tells Iran envoy

Pakistan is ready to play a constructive and positive role between Iran and Saudi Arabia, prime minister-in-waiting Imran Khan told Iranian Ambassador Mehdi Honardoost on Saturday.

Sunni powerhouse Saudi Arabia and Iran, the predominant Shia power, have a long history of rivalry. They today stand on opposing sides of conflicts in the Middle East, from Syria to Yemen.

The Iranian envoy had called on the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chairman at his Banigala residence to congratulate him on his party's victory in the 2018 general elections, a press release issued by the party said.

Ambassador Honardoost also conveyed congratulatory wishes from Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani.


Iran is ready to cooperate with Pakistan in regional development, and is also keen to expand trade with Pakistan, the envoy told Khan.

He also expressed his country's desire to negotiate with Pakistan on the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project, adding that the pipeline could “change the future of Pakistan”, the PTI statement said.

While observing that the situation in the region is highly sensitive, Honardoost said: "Iran will welcome Pakistan's suggestions to ensure peace in the region."

Imran Khan thanked the Iranian envoy for the wishes conveyed by his government, and reiterated Pakistan’s desire to trade with "all regional neighbours, including Iran", said the press release.

‘‘Iran’s role in protecting its integrity is commendable,” the expected prime minister said.

Khan told the envoy he wished to visit Iran and see its historical sites one day.

PTI leaders Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Shireen Mazari, and Naeemul Haq were also present at the Banigala meeting.

The Iranian ambassador is one of many foreign dignitaries to have visited Khan in recent days. The envoys of Britain, China, Saudi Arabia, Japan and the United Arab Emirates have all called on the PTI chairman since the election results arrived.

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi also telephoned Imran Khan to congratulate him over his party's victory, saying that India was "ready to enter a new era of relations with Pakistan," according to a PTI statement.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1424911/p...-and-saudi-arabia-imran-khan-tells-iran-envoy

 

[MenInG]

Would become a great leader if he can create an atmosphere of trust between both countries.

 

[Bewal Express]

Iran and Saudi are two countries whose desperation to be top dog is causing havoc in the muslim world. France and Germany are 2 countries whose relationship caused 2 world wars ended up creating the EU from which the whole of Europe benefitted. So if IK can knock the heads of these 2 moronic countries, the whole of the ME could benefit.

 

[AssassinatedDevil]

Billboards celebrating Pakistan's independence day put up in Iran capital

Billboards and banners felicitating Pakistan on its 72nd independence day have been put up across Tehran, the capital of Iran, Radio Pakistan reported on Tuesday.

The text in Persian on the billboards, photos of which are available with Dawn.com, congratulates Pakistan on its independence anniversary and depict historical landmarks from the four provinces. The hoardings have been put on highways and bridges across the Iranian city.

According to Radio Pakistan, Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has also felicitated the Pakistani nation on the occasion.

Pakistan's relations with Iran appear to be on an upward trajectory. In a call to prime minister-in-waiting Imran Khan, Iran's President Hassan Rouhani had said that his country's relations with Pakistan are not only that of a neighbour but go deeper as the two countries share the same religious and cultural values.

"We want to develop special trade relations with Iran," Khan had told Rouhani in response, adding that Pakistan wishes to see further improvement in relations on the diplomatic level.

The Iranian president had also extended an invitation to Khan to visit Iran after taking the oath, which was accepted by the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf chief.

Last month, the two countries pledged to further deepen their military cooperation.

US conveys wishes to Pakistan
The United States government has also extended best wishes to the Pakistani people on the independence day, besides expressing the desire to work with the Government of Pakistan to advance the shared goals.

"On behalf of the Government of the United States of America, I would like to extend my best wishes to the people of Pakistan as they celebrate their independence day," a statement released by the US embassy in Islamabad quoted US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo as saying.

He said the relationship between the US and Pakistan has rested on the strong foundation of close ties between their peoples for more than seven decades.

"In the years ahead, we hope to further strengthen these bonds, as we continue to look for opportunities to work with the people and Government of Pakistan to advance our shared goals of security, stability, and prosperity in South Asia," Pompeo added.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1426958/b...ns-independence-day-put-up-in-iranian-capital

 

[moghul]

Would become a great leader if he can create an atmosphere of trust between both countries.

Agree, would be a great achievement .

 

[Bewal Express]

This is a battle between two sets of losers battling for supremacy. Why dont these countries sit around a table along with others and guarantee rights for minorities in their countries. But this has nothing to do with that, its an ego battle between 2 ideologies.

 

[troodon]

Iran and Saudi are two countries whose desperation to be top dog is causing havoc in the muslim world. France and Germany are 2 countries whose relationship caused 2 world wars ended up creating the EU from which the whole of Europe benefitted. So if IK can knock the heads of these 2 moronic countries, the whole of the ME could benefit.

Don't they have to put religion on the back burner to have a constructive dialogue with each other?

 

[WhenSultansBowled]

Don't they have to put religion on the back burner to have a constructive dialogue with each other?

That line of thought is naive.

It's never for religion lolz. There are other important interests, always.

Religion is constantly used to manipulate masses tho.

 

[Yossarian]

Iran and Saudi are two countries whose desperation to be top dog is causing havoc in the muslim world. France and Germany are 2 countries whose relationship caused 2 world wars ended up creating the EU from which the whole of Europe benefitted. So if IK can knock the heads of these 2 moronic countries, the whole of the ME could benefit.

The comparison with France and Germany is meaningless.

France and Germany were both devastated due to the havoc of WW2 even though France was on the 'winning' side.

Secondly, they were pawns in a much bigger game, that between the USA and USSR.

Thirdly, their rivalry didn't have fundamental religious differences going back over 1500 years, with each side being the leader of the two religious factions.

Lastly, and most important of all, unlike France and Germany after WW2, the respective regime's in Saudi Arabia and Iran are not democracies, with both being in control of their populations by ruthless iron fist rule.

Any meaningful dialogue between Saudi Arabia and Iran would lead to the eventual demise of one or both regimes, meaning that the animosity suits both regimes, and both rely upon it as a means of self preservation.

 

[PakLFC]

IK should worry about Pakistani affairs and problems. There is no need for us to play peace maker between two other sovereign countries. I don't understand the need to keep poking our nose in affairs that don't concern us. Let Shia Iran and Sunni Saudi sort out there own mess where they are against each other on sectarian lines. We must be absolutely mutual on such things.

 

[Bewal Express]

The comparison with France and Germany is meaningless.

France and Germany were both devastated due to the havoc of WW2 even though France was on the 'winning' side.

Secondly, they were pawns in a much bigger game, that between the USA and USSR.

Thirdly, their rivalry didn't have fundamental religious differences going back over 1500 years, with each side being the leader of the two religious factions.

Lastly, and most important of all, unlike France and Germany after WW2, the respective regime's in Saudi Arabia and Iran are not democracies, with both being in control of their populations by ruthless iron fist rule.

Any meaningful dialogue between Saudi Arabia and Iran would lead to the eventual demise of one or both regimes, meaning that the animosity suits both regimes, and both rely upon it as a means of self preservation.

I agree with a lot of what you say but its a matter of political will. If these countries desire to, they will make the effort to live and let live.

 

[Bewal Express]

IK should worry about Pakistani affairs and problems. There is no need for us to play peace maker between two other sovereign countries. I don't understand the need to keep poking our nose in affairs that don't concern us. Let Shia Iran and Sunni Saudi sort out there own mess where they are against each other on sectarian lines. We must be absolutely mutual on such things.

Because if they kick off, we will lose big time. There is an old African proverb which goes along the lines of- when 2 elephants fight, its the grass that gets trampled

 

[Bewal Express]

Don't they have to put religion on the back burner to have a constructive dialogue with each other?

Religious is just a front- if the Saudis can be friends with Israel and Trump who hate every part of Islams DNA, then dialogue with the Iranians who we share a religion with is not half as hard.

 

[PakLFC]

Because if they kick off, we will lose big time. There is an old African proverb which goes along the lines of- when 2 elephants fight, its the grass that gets trampled

...if we get involved and are seen as favouring Saudi's as will most likely be the case the Iranian's will send terrorists in Pak. They have done this in the past as well.

 

[Yossarian]

I agree with a lot of what you say but its a matter of political will. If these countries desire to, they will make the effort to live and let live.

But as I said, they can't. The people will be happy to get along with each other, but the two regimes, the House of Saud in Iran, and the Ayatollahs in Iran, can't afford to do so. Because then it will be the beginning of the end for them both.

 

[Bewal Express]

...if we get involved and are seen as favouring Saudi's as will most likely be the case the Iranian's will send terrorists in Pak. They have done this in the past as well.

Thats why need to stay neutral and at the same time work our backsides to prevent conflict between these losers.

 

[Bewal Express]

But as I said, they can't. The people will be happy to get along with each other, but the two regimes, the House of Saud in Iran, and the Ayatollahs in Iran, can't afford to do so. Because then it will be the beginning of the end for them both.

I dont mind if the cold war that has existed for the last 39 years carries on without turning to a full blown war.

 

[waqar goraya]

So, in two days, Shah Salman called Imran twice and MBS once.

Imran is living in a fool's paradise. No way these countries are going to respect each other.

Particularly, Saudi Arabia is going to tell him it is either us or them.

Pakistan's economy is only breathing as a result of remittances and around 60 percent of these remittances come from GCC countries.

So, it seems Pakistan's relations vis-a-vis Saudis and Iran will remain the same. If Pakistan government can convince Saudis to let us have at least good trade relations with Iran then it will be a very significant diplomatic gain.

But with US economic restrictions on Iran, Pakistan's dependence on GCC remittances, MBS's intransigence and planned Islamic Bank's 4 billion loan , all point towards the status quo.
[MENTION=142169]PakLFC[/MENTION] [MENTION=4930]Yossarian[/MENTION]

3 telephonic conversations mean that something was not communicated well enough in the first and then in the second conversation.

There could be only two major areas of discussions either Saudi Arabia-Iran or Pak-US relations. Or both.
But my guess is Saudis might have told Imran plainly not to reset relations with Iran at the cost of them.

 

[waqar goraya]

[MENTION=142451]Mian[/MENTION] [MENTION=138254]Syed1[/MENTION]

Yes, theoretically this is what we want, exemplary relations with both but what to do when one of them ( one which is also more powerful and historically a closer friend than the other) asks you to chose between us or them?

 

[Mian]

[MENTION=142451]Mian[/MENTION] [MENTION=138254]Syed1[/MENTION]

Yes, theoretically this is what we want, exemplary relations with both but what to do when one of them ( one which is also more powerful and historically a closer friend than the other) asks you to chose between us or them?

It's really difficult for us to get away from Saudis right now because of the economic situation but i agree with your point "If Pakistan government can convince Saudis to let us have at least good trade relations with Iran then it will be a very significant diplomatic gain." this can be a win-win situation if we can somehow get Gas from Iran and keep getting oil from saudis. I don't think Saudis should have any issue because we already getting LNG from Qatar.

 

[hussain.r97]

This is never going to happen, both countries won't stop their fight until one of them gains total control over the Middle East.

Why do you think the Saudis are calling so much? And why do you think Iran are suddenly becoming so chummy? They don't desire good ties with each other, they are both just trying to bring Pakistan into their own sphere of influence.

 

[waqar goraya]

It's really difficult for us to get away from Saudis right now because of the economic situation but i agree with your point "If Pakistan government can convince Saudis to let us have at least good trade relations with Iran then it will be a very significant diplomatic gain." this can be a win-win situation if we can somehow get Gas from Iran and keep getting oil from saudis. I don't think Saudis should have any issue because we already getting LNG from Qatar.

Iran will appreciate any gains at this stage with their economic restrictions. They are offering discount on oil to all countries. They will be happy if we can purchase gas from them.

I guess Pakistan's policy would be to have strategic relationship with Saudis and only meaningful commercial ties with Iran. Hopefully, Saudis would not mind that. Any other country won't mind that but our weak economy makes them dictate us as they really want to go for a kill and further destabilize Iran. More and more people in Iran are becoming desperate. Fundamentalists are sick of Rouhani where as moderates/progressives are tired of Khomeini.

 

[PakLFC]

Thats why need to stay neutral and at the same time work our backsides to prevent conflict between these losers.

Best way to be neutral is by not getting involved, simple.

 

[Bewal Express]

This is never going to happen, both countries won't stop their fight until one of them gains total control over the Middle East.

Why do you think the Saudis are calling so much? And why do you think Iran are suddenly becoming so chummy? They don't desire good ties with each other, they are both just trying to bring Pakistan into their own sphere of influence.

Neither Will gain control.

 

[Eagle_Eye]

This is never going to happen, both countries won't stop their fight until one of them gains total control over the Middle East.

Why do you think the Saudis are calling so much? And why do you think Iran are suddenly becoming so chummy? They don't desire good ties with each other, they are both just trying to bring Pakistan into their own sphere of influence.

It's a pathetic never ending fight. Can only end if both regimes fall, which is unlikely in our lifetime.

Pakistan will not side with Iran, as Iran cannot afford the benefits Saudis provide.

Thanks mainly due to the decades of mismanagement and incompetence of the economy, pakistan is reliant on this external helping hand. Let's hope the situation can be turned in the next 5 years.

 

[Yossarian]

It's a pathetic never ending fight. Can only end if both regimes fall, which is unlikely in our lifetime.

Pakistan will not side with Iran, as Iran cannot afford the benefits Saudis provide.

Thanks mainly due to the decades of mismanagement and incompetence of the economy, pakistan is reliant on this external helping hand. Let's hope the situation can be turned in the next 5 years.

This is never going to happen, both countries won't stop their fight until one of them gains total control over the Middle East.

Why do you think the Saudis are calling so much? And why do you think Iran are suddenly becoming so chummy? They don't desire good ties with each other, they are both just trying to bring Pakistan into their own sphere of influence.

It cuts both ways.

Whilst on the surface it appears that Pakistan is very dependent upon the goodwill of Saudi Arabia (and that is correct to a large extent), nevertheless the Saudi's too can't afford to push Pakistan away - and right into the arms of Iran. That is leverage that Pakistan can also use to counter any pressure from Saudi Arabia.

The Saudis can already see the US pushing Pakistan away, and Pakistan turning towards China and Russia in response.

In the long run, the Saudi's have much to lose if they are too harsh on Pakistan, and Pakistan ends up being a strategic partner of Iran instead.

Every coin has two sides.

Although having said that, MBS is like his mentor Trump, liable to make rash decisions without thinking through the long term consequences.

 

[Napa]

Secondly, they were pawns in a much bigger game, that between the USA and USSR.

Bad history, before WWII Germany was nobody's pawn. USA and USSR became the dominant superpowers only after Germany was crushed in WWII. Hitler feared a multi-front war, but his overconfidence led him into one anyway.

Any meaningful dialogue between Saudi Arabia and Iran would lead to the eventual demise of one or both regimes, meaning that the animosity suits both regimes, and both rely upon it as a means of self preservation.

Correct.

 

[Yossarian]

Bad history, before WWII Germany was nobody's pawn. USA and USSR became the dominant superpowers only after Germany was crushed in WWII. Hitler feared a multi-front war, but his overconfidence led him into one anyway.

Do you ever try and understand the posts that you normally reply to? Appears as if you don't. Or more likely you can't. The post you quoted was in reference to why Germany and France joined hands to create the organisation which has since evolved to be the EU. Hence, immediately after WW2, defeated and devastated Germany and liberated but devastated France were bang in the middle of the strategic interests of the two superpowers USA and USSR.

 

[Napa]

Do you ever try and understand the posts that you normally reply to? Appears as if you don't. Or more likely you can't. The post you quoted was in reference to why Germany and France joined hands to create the organisation which has since evolved to be the EU. Hence, immediately after WW2, defeated and devastated Germany and liberated but devastated France were bang in the middle of the strategic interests of the two superpowers USA and USSR.

You were replying to a post that said "France and Germany are 2 countries whose relationship caused 2 world wars ended up creating the EU from which the whole of Europe benefitted". A reasonable interpretation of your post is that you were also referring to the time before the WWs.

Also Germany's behavior after WWII was more in line with its self-interest than that of a pawn. After killing 25 million Soviets, the country the Germans wanted protection from was the Soviet Union.

 

[Yossarian]

You were replying to a post that said "France and Germany are 2 countries whose relationship caused 2 world wars ended up creating the EU from which the whole of Europe benefitted". A reasonable interpretation of your post is that you were also referring to the time before the WWs.

I don't count that as being reasonable at all. The Common Market was created in the mid 50's. And my post was in reference to it's creation, and the political and economic situation of Germany and France (and by extention many other countries in Europe who were in a similar situation as a result of WW2), along with the fact that the world was left with just two competing superpowers, with France, Germany and the other European countries bang in the middle of any potential future conflict between the two superpowers.

Also Germany's behavior after WWII was more in line with its self-interest than that of a pawn. After killing 25 million Soviets, the country the Germans wanted protection from was the Soviet Union.

And by being split in two, with Russian/USSR troops stationed on German soil on one side, whilst British & American forces were (and still are!) stationed on Germany soil on the other side, of course, as I said, Germany (and France) was a pawn in the strategic interests of the two superpowers.

 

[MenInG]

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has welcomed efforts for mediation with Saudi Arabia ahead of Prime Minister Imran Khan's visit to the country.

"We've always been open to discussing anything with Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia is our neighbor. We're going to be here together permanently," Zarif said in an interview with TRT World.

"We don't have any choice but to talk to each other, and we have been open to talking to Saudi Arabia either directly or through intermediaries," Zarif noted.

When asked about PM Imran’s upcoming visit to Tehran, Zarif said, "We've never rejected any intermediary... We've always been open to mediation, and we've always been open to direct talks with our Saudi neighbors."

The Foreign Office on Thursday said PM Imran was likely to visit Saudi Arabia and Iran, weeks after Islamabad said Washington had asked it to mediate with Tehran.

“The possibility of a visit of the prime minister to Saudi Arabia and Iran is on the cards,” Foreign Office Spokesman Dr Mohammad Faisal said during his weekly news briefing on Thursday.

Read also: PM Imran in bid to ease Saudi Arabia and Iran tensions after successful China visit

The announcement of the possible visit comes after PM Imran last month said that US President Donald Trump had asked him to help defuse tensions in the Middle East.

The prime minister, after a meeting with the US president on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, had said that he was “trying and mediating” and had also spoken with Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani.

Washington had blamed Tehran for an attack on the world’s biggest crude oil processing facility in Saudi Arabia a few weeks ago.

Moreover, Iranian government spokesman Ali Rabiei said PM Imran was reportedly carrying a message from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Voice of America reported.

https://www.geo.tv/latest/250954-ir...th-saudi-arabia-as-pm-imran-arrives-in-tehran