Shafaqna Pakistan: Saudi Interior Minister Abdulaziz bin Saud Al Saud on Tuesday commended Pakistan’s diplomatic initiatives aimed at easing tensions in the Middle East.
According to an official statement issued by the Interior Ministry on X, the remarks were made during a meeting with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi in Mina, Saudi Arabia.
Pakistan has played an active mediatory role since tensions escalated following US and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, which were followed by retaliatory actions from Tehran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Islamabad successfully facilitated a two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran on April 8 and subsequently hosted direct negotiations between the two sides on April 11 and 12.
Although those discussions did not result in a permanent agreement, Pakistan continued its diplomatic engagement through backchannel efforts aimed at bridging differences between Washington and Tehran.
During today’s meeting, the two ministers exchanged Eidul Adha greetings and extended good wishes to each other during the meeting, while the Saudi interior minister also congratulated Naqvi on performing Hajj.
The meeting featured detailed discussions on Pakistan-Saudi Arabia bilateral relations and internal security cooperation, the statement said.
The two sides also discussed the latest regional situation.
According to the statement, it was decided that 200 personnel of the Federal Constabulary’s Special Diplomatic Protection Unit would receive training in Saudi Arabia.
The statement added that a high-level delegation from the Saudi Ministry of Interior would soon visit Pakistan to further expand bilateral cooperation.
Naqvi also praised the Saudi government for its excellent arrangements and management during Hajj, the statement added.
Earlier in the day, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard targeted a US airbase after the US military carried out what a Washington official said were strikes on an Iranian drone operation near the Strait of Hormuz.
The escalation in hostilities highlighted threats to the tenuous ceasefire between the US and Iran, dampening hopes for a peace deal and sending oil prices surging again.
The war has killed thousands and sent global energy prices sharply higher since it began on February 28 with US and Israeli strikes.
Trump has repeatedly said the end of the war is close but told media at a cabinet meeting on Wednesday he was not yet satisfied on a deal with Iran and the US was not discussing easing sanctions on it.
Source: The News
