Visit of Prince Prince Suleman Bin Sultan of House Saud Bin Sultan of House Saud to Pakistan links with Taliban talks with Nawaz?
Islamabad: Diplomatic circles in Islamabad are giving special attention to the visit of Deputy Minister of Defence of Saudi Arabia, Prince Prince Suleman Bin Sultan of House Saud Bin Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud to Pakistan after the visit of Saudi Foreign Minister just some days back. Prince Salman is considered as a very important operative in Saudi intelligence authorities as he is not only half brother of Saudi Intelligence Chief Prince Bandar rather his student in the field of intelligence maneuvers. His meeting with Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif is considered Very important.
Sources claim that Prince Suleman Bin Sultan of House Saud and Mian Nawaz Sharif discussed the issue of talking TTP to table for negotiation without accepting any conditions from TTP leadership.
Suleman bin Sultan began his career as a lieutenant in the Saudi royal air defense force. Then he served as a military attaché with the rank of first lieutenant at the Saudi Embassy in Washington DC during the Prince Bandar’s tenure as ambassador to the United States at the beginning of the 2000s. His tenure lasted until 2008. Prince Salman served as the assistant secretary general of the National Security Council (NSC) for intelligence and security affairs. During his tenure until 6 August 2013 he closely worked with his elder half-brother Bandar bin Sultan, who heads the NSC in addition to the General Intelligence Presidency. He was one of three Saudi officials who were instrumental in implementing the Syria policy of Saudi Arabia along with Foreign Minister Prince Saud and Prince Bandar.
There were reports in newspapers that Saudi Arabia was requested by Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif to use its good office for a peace process with Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) as Pakistani establishment believes that Saudi Arabia has close links with TTP leadership.
Prince has detail meetings with officials of Ministry of Mefence including Defence Minister on January 20—the day when General Headquarters of Pakistan Army were attacked by TTP suicide bomber and the whole ministry of Defence was in bad mood.
Diplomatic circles consider his visit to Pakistan may have direct links with possible talks with Taliban leadership or at least to halt full fledged action against Taliban militants in tribal areas.
