ISLAMABAD: Pakistan disapproved on Monday a mob attack on Saudi Arabia’s embassy in Tehran, which sparked a diplomatic crisis between Iran and Arab countries.

“The attack on the Saudi Embassy in Tehran, which is against international norms, is most unfortunate and deeply regrettable,” the Foreign Office said in a statement.

It said: “It is the responsibility of states to provide full safety and security to all diplomatic missions and their personnel.”

Protesters agitating against execution of Shia scholar Sheikh Nimr Baqir Al-Nimr by Saudi Arabia had on Sunday ransacked and set on fire Kingdom’s embassy in Tehran.

The statement comes ahead of a Jan 7 visit by Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Jubeir to Islamabad. He was to previously visit Islamabad on Sunday, but postponed the visit at the eleventh hour following escalation with Iran.

There were rumours that Pakistan was also exploring options about downgrading its diplomatic relationship with Iran.

After repeated attempts, the FO spokesman replied: “I will not comment on rumours and speculations.”

Relations between Islamabad and Tehran are already lukewarm because of the Saudi factor.

There have been protests in Pakistan against the execution of the Shia cleric. But the FO has avoided commenting on the development that led to escalation of tensions between the two rivals.

A scheduled Jan 18 trip by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif to Tehran, according to a diplomatic source, has become uncertain following the tiff between Saudi Arabia and Iran.

Published in Dawn, January 5th, 2016

Opinion

Editorial

Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...
New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.