Addressing the Security Council, Dr Maleeha stated that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had played an exemplary role by putting in efforts to reduce tensions in the Middle East. She also said talks and negotiations were necessary in order to solve problems.
She said the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation could play a role in establishing lasting peace in the region and ending conflicts. She warned that conflict between countries in the region have devastating results. She also expressed disappointment and said due to the lapse of a system, Islamic State and like-minded outfits were spreading everywhere.
“The chaos in Western Asia must be ended and we must make the region strong,” she said.
Tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran had escalated after the former had executed a prominent Shia cleric named Nimr al-Nimr. Iran, predominantly Shia, took objection to Nimr’s execution and ever since, relations between the two countries have remained tense. Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif had visited both countries and held talks with their heads of states. Pakistan played a mediator’s role in diffusing tensions between both rival Muslim states.
