ISLAMABAD: Pakistan welcomed Saudi Arabia and Iran’s joint decision to revive diplomatic relations on Sunday, adding that the development would yield “positive results” for the region, the premier’s special representative on Middle East, Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi, said in a statement.

On Friday, Iran and Saudi Arabia issued a historic joint statement, announcing their decision to restore ties and reopen embassies and revive diplomatic missions after reaching an agreement brokered by Chinese authorities in Beijing.

The two sides also agreed to discuss means to enhance bilateral relations and cooperation in various fields. The joint statement said Riyadh and Tehran had also agreed to respect state sovereignty and not interfere in the “internal affairs of all states.”

“Prime Minister’s Special Representative for Interfaith Harmony and Middle East Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi on Sunday said the revival of diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran would yield positive results in the region,” the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) said.

Ashrafi said the ease of the diplomatic row between the two countries would help reduce “the problems and sufferings of Islamic world.” Ashrafi, who is also the chairman of the Pakistan Ulema Council, appreciated Chinese President Xi Jinping’s efforts to bring the two countries closer.

He praised Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, saying that the Arab world had termed him as the “leader of peace” for his peace-building measures between the two countries.

Former prime minister Imran Khan welcomed the development as well, appreciating the Chinese president for the role he played in brokering the agreement.

“My govt had taken an initiative to bring KSA & Iran together for dialogue as part of our policy of wider engagement for peace & for unity of the Ummah,” he wrote on Twitter.

Hours after the agreement was reached, Pakistan’s foreign office praised the “sagacious leadership” of the two Middle Eastern countries in a statement.

“Pakistan will continue to play a constructive role in the Middle East and the region,” it added. “We hope this positive step would define a template for regional cooperation and harmony.”