ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Tuesday welcomed the reopening of Saudi Arabia’s airspace and land and sea borders with Qatar in a breakthrough agreement aimed at resolving a political dispute that led Riyadh and its allies to impose a boycott on Qatar.
Kuwait and the United States have been trying to end the row in which Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and non-Gulf Egypt severed diplomatic, trade and travel ties with Qatar in mid-2017.
“Pakistan welcomes the decision by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the State of Qatar to reopen the land, air and sea borders between the two countries,” Pakistan’s foreign office said in a statement. “We also appreciate other steps being taken by the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which will contribute to resolution of outstanding issues between the countries of the organization persisting for almost four years.”
Pakistan thanked the Emir of Kuwait for his “persistent and sincere efforts” and cooperation of GCC countries that had led to the breakthrough deal.
“Pakistan continues to accord high importance to its relationship with the Gulf Cooperation Council, as well as its bilateral relations with all GCC countries,” the foreign office said. “We hope that the GCC Summit, being held today will further build on these encouraging developments and lead to enhanced confidence and cooperation among the countries of the organization.”
Saudi state agency SPA quoted Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as saying the annual gathering of Gulf leaders would unite Gulf ranks “in the face of challenges facing the region.” Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani is on his way to Al-Ula, where the summit is being held, state media reported.
Kuwait’s foreign minister said a declaration would be signed at the summit, which was postponed from its usual December date as Riyadh pushed for an agreement toward ending the rift.
The four boycotting countries had accused Qatar of supporting terrorism. Doha denies the charges and says the embargo aimed to curtail its sovereignty.
“We welcome opening of borders between Saudi Arabia and Qatar,” the Pakistani Prime Minister’s special representative for the Middle East, Hafiz Tahir Ashrafi, told Arab News. “This is a vital step for the unity of the Muslim world.”
He added: “The efforts of Emir of Kuwait, leadership role played by King Salman and crown prince Muhammad bin Salman brought a new hope for the Muslim world. We hope that Saudi Arabia will keep on playing its leadership role in solving other internal issues of the Muslim world.”
The prime minister’s special assistant on overseas Pakistanis, Sayed Zulifqar Bukhari, said:
“Pakistan is naturally very happy when two great countries like Saudi Arabia and Qatar take steps toward reconciliation. It is welcomed by Pakistan and the entire region. It eases travel restrictions on the people of both the countries and the people of the GCC region. We pray that it’s the beginning of many other moves to bring them closer.”
Pakistan welcomes Saudi reconciliation with Qatar as Gulf leaders head to GCC summit
https://arab.news/m9wj2
Pakistan welcomes Saudi reconciliation with Qatar as Gulf leaders head to GCC summit
- Pakistani foreign office lauds positive role of Emir of Kuwait, GCC countries toward resolution of differences
- Kuwait’s foreign minister says a declaration would be signed at today’s GCC summit to end Doha rift
Pakistan law minister urges media caution on foreign policy debate amid Middle East tensions
- Azam Nazeer Tarar says constitutional limits must be respected when discussing diplomatic matters
- He says people can express themselves but sensitive external issues fall outside freedom of expression
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar urged journalists on Tuesday to exercise caution when discussing the country’s foreign policy, saying constitutional limits must be respected as regional tensions rise following the escalating conflict in the Middle East.
Tarar said citizens have the right to receive accurate information and express their views, but warned that public debate on sensitive diplomatic matters could cross constitutional boundaries and trigger legal consequences.
His remarks come as tensions in the Gulf have intensified after coordinated strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran on Feb. 28, followed by retaliatory Iranian attacks targeting American bases and infrastructure in several Arab states.
The crisis has complicated diplomatic balancing for countries such as Pakistan that maintain ties across the region.
“Journalism is such a profession, and particularly given the way information flows today, it is the right of every person living in Pakistan that correct information should reach them, and every individual also has the right to express what is in their heart,” Tarar told the media.
“However, we cannot ignore constitutional limits and restrictions,” he said, adding that criticism often arises when authorities register criminal cases or initiate prosecution after those limits were crossed.
The minister said debate that frames Pakistan’s foreign policy choices in binary terms — such as whether the country stands with Iran or Gulf states — risks undermining delicate diplomatic relations.
He maintained even the Constitution of Pakistan does not permit people to casually comment on such issues, adding that the public should trust the state in managing these matters.
“Your constitution, which is the fundamental document and the social contract with the state, the agreement between the state and its citizens about how life is to be conducted here, also obliges you to exercise great caution in such discussions and commentary, as they do not fall within the bounds of freedom of expression,” he said.
The remarks come amid debate in the country about limits of online free speech, as authorities frequently invoked the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) to pursue cases related to digital content.
Critics say the law has been used to curb dissent and intimidate journalists and activists, while the government maintains it is necessary to combat misinformation, cybercrime and threats to national security.
Tarar said legal action should not automatically be viewed as excessive if authorities enforce constitutional limits.
“Every profession also has a basic responsibility to conduct itself within the limits of the law,” he added.
