Saudi Foreign Minister in Pak for talks

Days after his trip was postponed due to spiralling Saudi-Iran tensions, Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister arrived here today to hold talks with the Pakistani leadership on a host of issues including Islamabad's concerns over the 34-nation alliance to fight militancy.
Adel was originally scheduled to arrive on Sunday but the trip was delayed due to Saudi Arabi's growing tensions with Iran over the execution of a Shia cleric in the Kingdom.
The postponement of the visit came a day after Saudi Arabia announced the execution of a prominent Shiite cleric, Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, along with 46 others, garnering condemnation from Shiites across the region.

Al Jubeir was received by Prime Minister's Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz at Noor Khan Airbase, Rawalpindi.
The Saudi Minister, during his visit, will call on Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and meet army chief General Raheel Sharif, officials said. He will also hold detailed talks with Aziz.
It is believed that Pakistan's concerns about the Saudi Arabia-led 34-nation military coalition of Muslim countries to fight militancy and Saudi-Iran tensions will dominate the talks.

Pakistan is in a tight situation due to its nature of relations with both Saudi Arabia and Iran. Domestic pressure is mounting on the government to stay neutral and at best try to reconcile the two countries, observers said.

Pakistan has urged Saudi Arabia and Iran to resolve differences through peaceful means.
The Saudi Foreign Minister will also share details of the alliance against terrorism after Pakistan announced its readiness to join it once all details are made available.
The alliance does not include countries such as Iran, Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria and Pakistan is wary of its constitution as it may pitch Islamabad against many Muslim nations which are not part of it.