ISLAMABAD: With tensions escalating between Pakistan and US, Kingdom
of Saudi Arabia is most likely to jump in as pacifier to save estranged
partners from reaching the point of no return.
To start with
King Abdullah sent his intelligence guys to listen to the Pakistani
side and to gauge tensions between the key allies in the war against
terrorism, according to well-placed defense sources.
The
sources on condition of anonymity told Online on Monday a delegation of
senior intelligence officials rushed from Saudi Arabia to hold an
in-depth meeting with ISI chief Lt Gen Ahmed Shuja Pasha. During the
meeting two sides underlined common background information on conflict
about Haqqani group, the sources said.
According to the sources
US, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia were primary partners in creation of all
these militants groups (including the Haqqanis) in Afghanistan to block
the then invading USSR. The sources did not rule out the possibility of
King Abdullah himself playing as pacifier to defuse tensions reaching
boiling point after scathing American allegations and touchy Pakistani
grievances in war on terror.
The sources described all reports
in international and national media on Monday about the visits of Chief
of Army Staff Ashfaq Pervaiz Kayani and ISI chief Pahsa as mere
speculations and rumors intended to confound confusion. However, the
sources were unable to rule out the speculations that Saudi
intelligence team rushed to Pakistan under the US influence.
The
sources told Online that both the army and the intelligence chiefs
would certainly visit world capitals to explain Pakistan’s position but
only after having mandate to do so from the political leadership. “The
military or intelligence leaders visiting abroad ahead of the political
decisions in this regard makes no sense,” the sources added.
The
sources described foreign new agency’s reports claiming schedule and
later cancellation of army chief’s visit to UK and private meeting with
British Defense Secretary Dr Liam Fox as baseless stories based on
speculations.
The sources told Online that Pasha would also be
holding meetings with his Chinese counterpart who is part of the Vice
Prime Minister Hui Liangyu’s delegation that arrived Sunday on a 2-day
official visit. The sources were also anticipating some high-profile
defense pact between Pakistan and China that may not be made public for
strategic reasons. Online
