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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan continued to receive messages of felicitation from world leaders as Saudi King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud congratulated him on his party’s victory in the last month’s general elections.
State-run news agency APP on Sunday quoted the Saudi Press Agency as saying that the Saudi king conveyed to the prime minister-in-waiting best wishes from the kingdom and its people for the progress and prosperity of the people of Pakistan.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman also felicitated the PTI chairman and expressed good wishes and prayed for the progress and prosperity of Pakistan.
Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Pakistan Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki was the first diplomat to have met Mr Khan even when the poll results were still pouring in.
Later Mr Khan also received a number of diplomats from various countries at his Banigala residence.
During his meeting with Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan Mehdi Honardoost, the PTI chief had offered mediation between Iran and Saudi Arabia to resolve differences between the two countries.
Welcoming the offer, the Iranian envoy had termed the situation in the region sensitive and said: “Iran will welcome any proposal from Pakistan aimed at bringing peace to the region.”
Later, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani telephoned Mr Khan to personally congratulate him on his party’s success in the July 25 elections and expressed willingness to further improve bilateral relations. He had also extended an invitation to Mr Khan to visit Iran after taking the oath as prime minister, which was reportedly accepted by the latter.
Earlier, acting US Ambassador to Pakistan John Hoover along with a delegation had also called on the PTI chief and discussed with the latter issues of mutual interest.
Expressing Pakistan’s desire to see complete stability in Afghanistan, Mr Khan had said that he had always stressed the need for a political solution to the Afghan problems. The PTI chief asserted that war and use of power was not a solution to Afghanistan’s problems and that stability in the war-torn country would prove to be in the best interests of not only the United States and Pakistan but also the region.
The ambassadors of Japan, European Union and Russia had also met Mr Khan and showed their readiness to cooperate with the future PTI-led government in Pakistan.
Last week, Indian High Commissioner Ajay Bisaria also called on Mr Khan at his Banigala residence. During the meeting, Mr Khan had reportedly pushed for the “resumption of talks between Pakistan and India”. He had also expressed the hope that the Saarc conference would soon be held in Islamabad.
Mr Khan had received telephone calls from a number of world leaders, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani.
Meanwhile, a meeting of the parliamentary group of the PTI in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was held in Peshawar to discuss the strategy for the inaugural session of the provincial assembly.
Published in Dawn, August 13th, 2018
Comments (19) Closed
Felicitations + billions of dollars, please.
IK needs them badly.
Thanks.
Now that we have their blessings we don't need anybody else to help us.
Now Pak can play very constructive role bw Saudis and. Iran. Beware Iran.
Hopefully no deal will be done to sideline the principles on humanity especially supporting Saudi Arabia against people of Yemen or facilitating any financial assistance for so called "Good Taliban"
Dear King Salman .... Pakistan needs money, not just best wishes from the Kingdom.
I wish Saudi would progress.
This is Imran Khan. The world knows him respect him.
The Brotherhood is more than any thing. We love you too and Dua for the prosperity, bright future progress and respect for both the Countries.
Good for Pakisan & we are happy since elections things are moving in the right direction ... Best of luck IK ... IK is our pride & will turn around the country for betterment of poor people of this great nation
@Socrates he would have it all before entering in politics …. World will see How Imran khan will run this country , like never before .
Felicitation is very welcome. But more than felicitation we need dollars and that too urgently. Hopefully King can bailout pakistan in times of crisis.
I hope IK will not cozy up with the Saudis. They are trouble and manipulators, We can do without any lip service or support from them, especially when their treatment of Pakisani workers in the kingdom is nothing to be proud of.
Thanks to Saudi Arabia, Irani, Chinese, Turkish Govt. for congurating PM Imran Khan. It is a historical moment for Pakistan. Thanks for the EU supporting financially the Pakistani Election. Thanks for Saudi Arabia for providing 4 Billions loan. All friends are equally important to Pakistan, including our old Ally the US. We respect our Friendship with all countries. Now its time to search for new friends and possibilities. Wars should end and give Peace a chance again. Hope to start positive dialogues with Indian over Trade and Kashmir.
Thank you! You've no choice!
@ABE This is possible only if India and Pakistan work together. Else all the global powers use this difference as advantage. They will scare one that they will be cosy with other. Time for India and Pakistan to work together, so that fight against immoral activities around the world can be taken up together.
Advise for Imran - do not let the two to drag Pakistan into their sectarian war. Keep a polite distance.
Looks like Iran and Saudi are going to fight over Pakistan.
Pakistan is not as young and attractive as once was, so will have to perform additional services to please Saudi Arabia.
I trust them not. They are with the settlers and where their investments are- USA, UK. .....