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Saudi Arabia and Pakistan on Sunday agreed to get over their differences and take their ties to a much advanced level. In a meeting in Riyadh between Saudi Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Doctor Nizar bin Obaid Madani and his Pakistani counterpart Hina Rabbani Khar, it was agreed that effective measures should be taken to overcome the impression that a “chill” existed in relations between the two nations.
According to media reports, the two officials reviewed international and regional issues of mutual interest and discussed ways of improving ties. Diplomatic circles believe that an impression in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf nations that Iran is trying to interfere in the internal matters of the Arab World must also have been discussed. Saudi Arabia is believed to have asked Pakistan to use its good offices with Iran, to influence to put a stop to Iran’s interference. On the other hand, Saudi’s have assured Pakistan that its interests in Afghanistan would be safeguarded.
The director-general of the Export Programme of the Saudi Fund for Development, Ahmed Al-Ghannam, acting deputy of the Ministry of Economic Affairs Dr Sulaiman Al-Turki, Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan Abdul Aziz Al- Ghadeer attended the meeting.
On the other hand, Commander Royal Saudi Naval Forces Vice Admiral Dakheel Allah Bin Ahmed Al Waqdani,
called on Chief of the Naval Staff at his office and held detailed discussion on professional matters. He also held discussions with other senior political and military leadership of Pakistan. Vice Admiral Al Waqdani is a graduate of Pakistan Naval Academy and received his commission in 1969
