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Saudi asks Pak to revive its energy ties with Iran
Saudi Arabia has asked the Pakistan government to reconsider its decision to pursue energy cooperation with Iran, including a multi-billion dollar gas pipeline project.
Islamabad: Saudi Arabia has asked the
Pakistan government to reconsider its decision to pursue energy cooperation with Iran, including a multi-billion dollar
gas pipeline project, according to a media report Wednesday.
The Saudi King`s position was conveyed to Pakistan`s top leadership by visiting Deputy Foreign Minister Prince Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz during meetings yesterday, Arab diplomatic sources were quoted as saying by the Dawn newspaper.
Saudi Arabia reportedly offered an "alternative package" to meet Pakistan`s growing energy needs in an effort to persuade it to abandon the gas pipeline and electricity and oil import deals with Iran, the report said.
The visiting minister reportedly offered a loan and oil facility to bail Pakistan out of its financial and energy crises.
An unnamed Pakistani official told the daily the offer would be discussed at the Pakistan-Saudi joint ministerial meeting, currently being planned.
Prince Abdul Aziz`s visit to Islamabad came close on the heels of a trip by Saudi Information Minister Abdul Aziz bin Mohiuddin Al-Khoja last week, which coincided with Pakistan Army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani`s visit to Saudi Arabia. The exchanges took place against the backdrop of an intensifying cold war between Tehran and Riyadh over Syria, with "smaller versions of the proxy being played out in Bahrain, Yemen and other parts of the region", the report said.
The visits took place at a time when diplomatic efforts for dealing with the Syrian crisis have picked momentum. Saudi Arabia sees the situation in Syria as key to the future of the Middle East and has been spearheading efforts to isolate Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, the report said. Statements issued by the presidency, Prime Minister`s House and Foreign Office yesterday referred to the cordial ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia and noted that discussions were held on "regional and international challenges".
Prince Abdul Aziz had a one-to-one interaction with Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and a delegation-level meeting, during which a "special message" from the Saudi King was delivered, a prime ministerial aide told the daily.
PTI
The Saudi King`s position was conveyed to Pakistan`s top leadership by visiting Deputy Foreign Minister Prince Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz during meetings yesterday, Arab diplomatic sources were quoted as saying by the Dawn newspaper.
Saudi Arabia reportedly offered an "alternative package" to meet Pakistan`s growing energy needs in an effort to persuade it to abandon the gas pipeline and electricity and oil import deals with Iran, the report said.
The visiting minister reportedly offered a loan and oil facility to bail Pakistan out of its financial and energy crises.
An unnamed Pakistani official told the daily the offer would be discussed at the Pakistan-Saudi joint ministerial meeting, currently being planned.
Prince Abdul Aziz`s visit to Islamabad came close on the heels of a trip by Saudi Information Minister Abdul Aziz bin Mohiuddin Al-Khoja last week, which coincided with Pakistan Army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani`s visit to Saudi Arabia. The exchanges took place against the backdrop of an intensifying cold war between Tehran and Riyadh over Syria, with "smaller versions of the proxy being played out in Bahrain, Yemen and other parts of the region", the report said.
The visits took place at a time when diplomatic efforts for dealing with the Syrian crisis have picked momentum. Saudi Arabia sees the situation in Syria as key to the future of the Middle East and has been spearheading efforts to isolate Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, the report said. Statements issued by the presidency, Prime Minister`s House and Foreign Office yesterday referred to the cordial ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia and noted that discussions were held on "regional and international challenges".
Prince Abdul Aziz had a one-to-one interaction with Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and a delegation-level meeting, during which a "special message" from the Saudi King was delivered, a prime ministerial aide told the daily.
PTI