Date:14/01/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/01/14/stories/2009011460681100.htm

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Saudi intelligence chief meets Zardari, Gilani

Nirupama Subramanian

ISLAMABAD: The Saudi intelligence chief, whose last two visits to Pakistan preceded momentous developments in the country, was back on Tuesday and met President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani.

Prince Muqrin bin Abdul Aziz visited three days before Pervez Musharraf’s resignation as President in August 2008, according to reports, to negotiate a “safe exit” for him.

Before that, he was here in September 2007 to make the case that Nawaz Sharif should not return to Pakistan from exile as he had signed an agreement in 2000 to stay out for 10 years.

The Saudi royal’s latest visit has excited much interest about his possible agenda. A media report said he had asked the Pakistani leadership to resolve all “internal issues” through “mutual dialogue.”

An official statement from the Prime Minister’s office about his meeting with Mr. Gilani indicated that India-Pakistan relations dominated.

Prince Muqrin stressed the need for stability and peace in Pakistan, equating this with Saudi Arabia’s own peace and stability. According to the statement, he said both countries “are united in confronting the challenges of terrorism and are committed to eradicate this menace as it gives a negative perception” of Islam.

Joint probe offer

Mr. Gilani assured Prince Muqrin that Pakistan was a responsible country that would not allow its territory to be used for activities against another country. He recalled that Pakistan was among the first to condemn the Mumbai attacks, and had offered a joint enquiry into the incident.

He said Pakistan was “still committed to cooperate for bringing the perpetrators involved in those heinous crimes to justice.” Mr. Gilani told the Saudi official that Pakistan was looking into the information provided by India and would share the results of its investigation with New Delhi.

But, he said it was regrettable that India had not responded to the Pakistani offer of a joint investigation, and thanked the Saudi King and his government for their “very important role in defusing the situation in South Asia.”