In response to a statement made by Iranian Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces Mohammad Hussein Bagheri, the head of Pakistan’s Council of Scholars Taher Mahmoud Ashrafi said that the Iranian threat to Saudi Arabia and Pakistan is condemnable and regrettable.

Ashrafi stressed that the Islamic world will not allow Iran to tamper with the security of Saudi Arabia and Pakistan since the latter is able to defend its borders and those of the country of the Two Holy Mosques.

He stressed that Pakistan has always been working for peace in the region with patience and wisdom, but the statements of the Iranian leadership against Pakistan "cannot be tolerated emphasizing that Pakistan is not like Syria and Iraq and that the Iranian alliance with India and Afghanistan will not weaken Pakistan."

He asserted that the Pakistani government should refer to the United Nations, the international community and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) regarding the statements and acts of aggression by Afghanistan, Iran and India over the past two weeks.

Tahir Ashrafi, head of the powerful Ulema Council of clerics, speaks during an interview with Reuters in Islamabad December 13, 2013. (Reuters)

He also said that that "Saudi Arabia is the holiest symbol for Muslims. All countries of the world including Iran should know that the Islamic nation will respond firmly to any conspiracy targeting Saudi Arabia."

The Pakistani Islamic scholar also referred to the recent interview of Saudi Arabia's Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman where he revealed many facts.

He stressed that Iran must stop interfering in the affairs of other countries before thinking of threatening the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. He also stated that it was regrettable and sad that the Iranian leadership did not learn lessons from the situation in the Middle East, and emphasized that Pakistan should immediately call an emergency session of the summit of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation.

Last Update: Wednesday, 20 May 2020 KSA 09:51 - GMT 06:51