Saudi foreign minister's visit to Pakistan postponed

Islamabad, Jan 3: Saudi Foreign Minister Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir’s visit to Islamabad on Sunday has been postponed, the foreign office said. This was done at Saudi Arabia’s request, Dawn online reported. Jubeir was to arrive here on Sunday to take the Pakistani leadership into confidence over the Middle East situation and the 34-tion military alliance recently formed by the kingdom. According to officials here, the purpose of the visit was to consult Pakistan’s leadership over joining the anti-terrorism alliance. In December, the kingdom announced the formation of a 34-state Islamic military coalition to combat terrorism, ming Pakistan as one of its members without apparently first getting its consent. Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhry said he was surprised to read the news that Saudi Arabia had med Pakistan as part of the group but the foreign office confirmed participation in the coalition. (IANS)