Pakistan: Suspects in 2011 Killing of Saudi Diplomat Fled to Iran

Pakistani police at the scene of the crime in 2011. (AFP)
Pakistani police at the scene of the crime in 2011. (AFP)
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Pakistan: Suspects in 2011 Killing of Saudi Diplomat Fled to Iran

Pakistani police at the scene of the crime in 2011. (AFP)
Pakistani police at the scene of the crime in 2011. (AFP)

Islamabad has asked authorities in Tehran to assist in the arrest of the suspects behind the assassination of Saudi diplomat Hassan al-Qahtani in Pakistan's Karachi in 2011.

Reports have said the killers had fled to Iran.

The Kingdom's ambassador to Pakistan, Nawaf al-Malki, told Asharq Al-Awsat that Saudi Arabia was informed by Pakistan that the murderers were indeed in Iran.

Saudi authorities are dedicating all of their efforts to cooperate with Pakistan to arrest them and allow justice to take its course, he added.

A Saudi committee has been formed to tackle the case and it flew to Islamabad two months ago.

New leads in the case had emerged, prompting Pakistan in November to request Iran's assistance to locate the suspects, who have been identified as Ali Mustehsan, Raza Imam and Syed Waqar Ahmed

Qahtani was a diplomat at the Saudi consulate in Karachi.

He was killed after gunmen riding on two motorbikes opened fire at him in his car as he was headed to work.



Faisal bin Farhan in Damascus, Stresses Saudi Support to Syria’s Revival

This handout picture released by the Syrian Arab News Agency SANA on January 24, 2025, shows Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa (R) welcoming Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah in Damascus. (SANA / AFP)
This handout picture released by the Syrian Arab News Agency SANA on January 24, 2025, shows Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa (R) welcoming Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah in Damascus. (SANA / AFP)
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Faisal bin Farhan in Damascus, Stresses Saudi Support to Syria’s Revival

This handout picture released by the Syrian Arab News Agency SANA on January 24, 2025, shows Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa (R) welcoming Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah in Damascus. (SANA / AFP)
This handout picture released by the Syrian Arab News Agency SANA on January 24, 2025, shows Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa (R) welcoming Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah in Damascus. (SANA / AFP)

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah reiterated on Friday the Kingdom’s support for Syria’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.

Prince Faisal had arrived in Damascus on Friday where he held talks with its de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa.

Speaking at a press conference with Sharaa, he stressed Saudi Arabia’s support for the Syrian people.

He expressed his delight at visiting Damascus, stating that Saudi Arabia will back Syria’s security, stability and revival.

Prince Faisal and Sharaa discussed means to support Syria’s security and territorial integrity.  

They tackled efforts to back it on the political, economic and humanitarian levels, underscoring the need to lift sanctions on the country.

“We will continue to work with our brothers in Syria until we reach a final lifting of the sanctions imposed on their country,” Prince Faisal said.

He added that Saudi Arabia has been facilitating dialogue with the US and the EU to push for sanctions relief.

The FM and Sharaa stressed the need to offer Syria all forms of support during its period of transition in order for it to reclaim stability throughout its territories.

Prince Faisal hailed the new Syrian authorities on their openness to holding dialogue with all parties, saying he was confident the people will successfully maneuver this phase and achieve a prosperous and stable future.

He also met with his Syrian counterpart Asaad al-Shibani, who said Saudi Arabia has offered Syria a lot of support and has constantly stood by its people.

Prince Faisal’s visit “demonstrates this support,” he stated.

Moreover, he said consultations with Saudi Arabia are ongoing on “all levels. There are no reservations or obstacles. Our cooperation will be an important step towards building a better future for the region.”

Syria needs the support of its Arab brothers and is opening a new chapter of cooperation with them as it aspires to be a part of the joint Arab project, he stressed.

He echoed calls for sanctions relief, saying they were a hurdle to stability.

Syria is determined to open a new chapter that focuses on reconstruction, development and investment, he went on to say.