ISLAMABAD: The Saudi Minister for Religious Affairs, Sheikh Saleh bin Abdul Aziz, on Monday remained busy soliciting the support of religious parties in his country’s conflict with Yemen’s Houthi rebels.

The Saudi minister had arrived in Islamabad on Sunday on a previously unannounced trip amid growing doubts in Riyadh and among its allies about Islamabad’s support for the offensive against Houthis after a parliamentary resolution called for observing neutrality in the conflict.

Sheikh Saleh’s only engagement with government functionaries on Monday was a meeting with his Pakistani counterpart, Sardar Mohammad Yusuf, who later hosted a reception in his honour.

But for most of the day, the Saudi minister interacted with clerics from Wafaqul Madaris Al-Arabia and JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman.

The meetings coincided with statements by some religious parties that they could send fighters to Saudi Arabia if the government refused to send troops in support of the Saudi-led operation against Houthis.

There has also been an upsurge in activities by the religious parties for moulding public opinion in favour of the Saudi action and the need for Pakistan to support it.

Jamiat Ahle Hadith held a conference on Saturday and before that Jamaatud Dawa brought out a rally calling for Pakistan’s participation in the war against Houthis.

In his meetings, the Saudi religious minister has been saying that Riyadh remains confident that Pakistan will support it.

Sheikh Saleh’s visit was preceded by a trip by Saudi Chief Adviser on Religious Affairs Dr Abdul Aziz.

A source disclosed that there had been a sudden increase in the number of visitors to Pakistan over the past fortnight.

Asked about the Saudi minister’s visit, FO spokesperson Tasneem Aslam said he was a guest of his Pakistani counterpart, Sardar Yousuf.

Published in Dawn, April 14th, 2015

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