ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office said on Thursday that Riyadh was not currently brokering a peace deal between the Pakistan government and Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), but kept the option of a future Saudi role open.
“Saudi Arabia is not playing any role in the proposed dialogue between Pakistan and TTP,” FO spokesperson Tasneem Aslam said at the weekly media briefing.
**It was expected that the government would seek Saudi help for kick-starting peace negotiations during Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al Faisal’s visit to Islamabad earlier this week.
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**The government did ask for Saudi help, at least for countering sectarianism as confirmed by PM’s Adviser on Foreign Affairs and National Security Sartaj Aziz. Most sectarian outfits have strong linkages with TTP.
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**The spokesperson quoted the Saudi foreign minister as ruling out such a role for his country.
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However, it was obvious from the spokesperson’s comments that Pakistan desired such an involvement on part of Riyadh.
“People generally look up to Saudi Arabia for contributing to stability and peace in the Muslim world,” she noted, adding that it was for Saudi leadership to decide whether or not they would like to help their regional ally.
“Exactly what role Saudi Arabia plays is up to them,” Ms Aslam added.
**In reply to a query about terror financing from Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states, the spokesperson said the government was busy with strengthening laws on terrorist financing and would look at other issues afterwards.
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“When this process (legislation on terror financing) completes, if and when funds come from abroad and they are directed towards terrorist financing, we will be in a better position to deal with that,” she maintained.
**The leakage of US diplomatic cables in 2011 revealed that “Islamic charitable” organisations in Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates were financing extremist networks in Pakistan. The volume of financing coming from the Gulf region was then estimated in the cables at $100 million a year.
** Though Pakistanis failed to get a firm commitment from the Saudi foreign minister on help in initiating peace talks with militant groups, Prince Faisal, however, said that the two countries needed to work together on countering terrorism and preventing Afghanistan from descending into further chaos.
Re: Saudia refuses Pakistan request for countering sectarianism
*The government did ask for Saudi help, at least for countering sectarianism as confirmed by PM’s Adviser on Foreign Affairs and National Security Sartaj Aziz. Most sectarian outfits have strong linkages with TTP.
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*The spokesperson quoted the Saudi foreign minister as ruling out such a role for his country.
*
Meer kya sada hain beemar huey jis ke iwaz
usi attar ke londay se dawa lete heiN
Re: Saudia refuses Pakistan request for countering sectarianism
There seems to be an aura of estrangement in Saudi-Pak relations for some time now. The freeze was partially understandable when PPP was running the show, but even the arrival of Shairf in the corridors of power apparently does not seem to usher in a thaw.
Re: Saudia refuses Pakistan request for countering sectarianism
[QUOTE] In reply to a query about terror financing from Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states, the spokesperson said the government was busy with strengthening laws on terrorist financing and would look at other issues afterwards.
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**“When this process (legislation on terror financing) completes, if and when funds come from abroad and they are directed towards terrorist financing, we will be in a better position to deal with that,” she maintained.
[/QUOTE]
Maybe a bit of glass half full type thinking, but this really does sound quite promising. Seems like this legislation is being designed with Saudi Arabia in view, I'll be keeping my eye on this.
Looks like both countries are carrying some final friendship and loyality tests before parting ways (to certain extent only), Pakistan with asking for assistance in regards to Taliban negotiations and Saudi Arabia with asking Pakistani trained 'troops' to deal with internal security matters (I wonder what they are).
Re: Saudia refuses Pakistan request for countering sectarianism
Maybe a bit of glass half full type thinking, but this really does sound quite promising. Seems like this legislation is being designed with Saudi Arabia in view, I'll be keeping my eye on this.
I will be highly surprised if any piece of legislation could choke the funding channels. The whole mechanism of money transfer is too sophisticated to be checked by a law passed by a country like Pakistan.
Instead of setting up embankments to stop floodwaters entering my premises, I would prefer to cork the holes that let the freshet gushing.
Re: Saudia refuses Pakistan request for countering sectarianism
I will be highly surprised if any piece of legislation could choke the funding channels. The whole mechanism of money transfer is too sophisticated to be checked by a law passed by a country like Pakistan.
Instead of setting up embankments to stop floodwaters entering my premises, I would prefer to cork the holes that let the freshet gushing.
To think that a country like Pakistan with prolonged headache of foreign backed terrorism has no such thing as terror financing legislation is shockingly disappointing. Before I dismiss the legislation, I'd like to see exactly what it includes, how many areas it'll aim cover and in what ways. The legislation may or may not provide immediate relief, but it is still a desperately needed pro-active measure to at least enable the civil societies to effectively make cases against shady madrrassad and organisations.