ISLAMABAD, Sept 1: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi’s meeting with Saudi Intelligence chief Prince Muqrin Bin Abdul Aziz has fuelled speculations that Riyadh is once again playing a role in Pakistani politics. Rumours of a political change in the country are rife.

A statement issued by the Foreign Office on Wednesday said: “Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi met HRH Prince Muqrin Bin Abdul Aziz, Chief of Intelligence of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, yesterday. The Foreign Minister delivered him a special message from the president of Pakistan to Khadim Al-Harmain Sharifain King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz, conveying thanks for the relief assistance provided for the flood affectees in Pakistan.”

The foreign minister is on a visit to seek further help from countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council for flood survivors. But during his stay in the Saudi capital, he did not meet his counterpart.

Mr Qureshi’s visit to Saudi Arabia was preceded by a visit of Army Chief Gen Kayani. The general called on the King and key Saudi officials.

Mr Qureshi’s meeting with Prince Muqrin generated a lot of interest in political circles amid rumours in the capital that some recent developments and the government’s chaotic response to the floods had put the survival of the federal government at stake. The civil-military equation, too, was under a cloud.

MQM chief Altaf Hussain, a key government ally, recently set rumour mills working overtime by calling upon the army to intervene and replace the government with ‘honest’ bureaucrats, generals, judges, intellectuals and journalists.

Prince Muqrin, one of the most powerful spooks in the Middle East, is a well known name in Pakistan. He has been King Abdullah’s point man and among other responsibilities, he is believed to have been given the management of relations with Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Prince Muqrin’s two famous trips to Islamabad heralded momentous political developments in the country. He was here three days before former president Pervez Musharraf resigned in Aug 2008. Earlier, he came here in Sept 2007 days before Mian Nawaz Sharif’s abortive return home from exile.

Prince Muqrin’s most recent visit to Islamabad was in January last year following the Mumbai terror attacks.