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No decision made to participate in Yemen conflict; will defence Saudi Arabia: Asif
INPISLAMABAD - Minister for Defence Khawaja Asif has said that no decision has been made to participate in war in Middle East but made it clear that Pakistan would defend Saudi Arabia in case of any danger to its territorial integrity.
In a policy statement in the National Assembly on Friday, he said that the government has only made a pledge to defend Saudi Arabia in case of any danger to its territorial integrity. The minister said that Pakistan offered to Saudi Arabia that a delegation comprising defence minister, adviser on foreign affairs and higher military officials will visit Saudi Arabia to assess their defence requirements. However, he said that a meeting of Arab League is going to be held today or tomorrow and we hope that the issue will be resolved on a common platform. He said that Pakistan will play its role for creation of unity and solidarity among the Muslim countries. He said that the fears of the leader of the opposition about Pakistan taking a side in the war in Middle East are baseless. He said that if any decision is required to be made in this regard the parliament will be taken into confidence.
“The concerns expressed by Khursheed Shah, I assure everyone else: we have not decided or promised to participate in this war. We have only pledged to protect Saudi Arabia, and given a declaration,” he told the parliamentarians. “If, God forbid, any such situation arises, we will protect Saudi Arabia and we have also conveyed this to Saudi Arabia,” he said. The defence minister’s policy statement came as day after Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, following a high level civil-military meeting, announced that Pakistan would respond to any threats posed to Saudi Arabia’s security. Nawaz said that any threat to Saudi Arabia would “evoke a strong response” from Islamabad.
Earlier, the Leader of the Opposition Syed Khurshid Ahmad Shah said that Pakistan should play its role for peace particularly in the Islamic world and should not take any side in the war in Middle East. He suggested that a Joint Session of the Parliament or All Parties Conference should be convened to take any decision on the issue. He said that foreign policy should also be reviewed to meet the present day challenges.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk