Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, and other dignitaries, watching a flypast by PAF jets in Mianwali. PHOTO: APP
Dismissing speculation that Bahrain and Saudi Arabia had sought the country’s assistance to move its armed forces for operation, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif categorically stated that Pakistan is not sending its military troops to other countries.
He was talking to the media after a ceremony to rename the Mianwali Airbase to ‘MM Alam Airbase’, in remembrance of the legendary fighter pilot of the 1965 war.
The premier said the recent visits by the leaders of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Kuwait were a testimony of their friendship with Pakistan and must not be linked with other motives.
He said the visits were in Pakistan’s interest and such trips would take place in the future as well. He also termed the visit of Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa bin Salman al Khalifa fruitful and productive.
The country is facing serious challenges and it is time to take tough decisions, the prime minister said, adding that the government, without wasting time, is taking steps to put Pakistan on the path to development.
He emphasised that Pakistan is not part of the arms race in the region and does not have aggressive designs; however, the country would not neglect its defence and sovereignty at the cost of pursuing a peace strategy.
Pakistan neutral on intra-Arab issues
Pakistan made it clear that it would not take sides on intra-Arab issues after a flurry of high-level visits from key Gulf countries led to speculations that Islamabad may change its foreign policy towards the region.
“We have had very close ties with Iran and with the Gulf. There have been questions about intra-GCC issues. We have said that we don’t take sides, this is their internal matter,” said foreign ministry spokesperson Tasnim Aslam at the weekly news briefing on Thursday.
She insisted that there was no change in Pakistan’s policy towards its neighbours and with Muslim countries.
The country had always played a ‘constructive role’ during issues between Muslim countries, she maintained amid concerns that Pakistan’s increased cooperation with Saudi Arabia and Bahrain might strain its ties with neighbouring Iran. “Pakistan has always been a force for unifying the Muslim world and is not a divisive force.”
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif would soon visit Iran in what appears to be part of his government’s efforts to maintain a delicate balance in relations with both Riyadh and Tehran, Aslam announced.
King of Bahrain’s visit concludes
On the third and concluding day of the King of Bahrain’s visit to Pakistan, the two countries issued a joint statement, agreeing to increase high-level political exchanges, enhance cooperation in trade and investment, defence and security and people-to-people contact.
The two sides stressed the importance of regular consultations through the existing institutional mechanisms and welcomed the setting up of Pakistan-Bahrain Joint Ministerial Commission.
They emphasised the importance of the bilateral consultations between the two foreign ministries, which would serve as an umbrella framework for bilateral cooperation. It was decided that the next round would be held in the second half this year.
They also stressed the importance of increasing defence and security cooperation between the two countries. The sharing of information, intelligence and assessments will also be strengthened, said the joint statement.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 21st, 2014.
COMMENTS (9)
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@Mirza: Please do not try to be over-smart, what s covert n over
@String theory.: They are all looking upward. For manna from heaven. Just making sure the manna does not hit them on the head or in the eye. Basically Saudi riyals and Bahraini dinars floating down from little planes.
@ Muslim Leaguer
Not really true that "A Dictator would have succumbed to a single phone call."
Remember during Musharraf time, a similar event happened when US was asking Pakistan to send troops to Iraq. Musharraf did not succumb on any call by sending troops.
@String Theory, Kindly read the caption of photo
It is good strategy to not interfere in other's war. Pakistan already facing law and order situation due to interfering other countries.
This is the glaring difference between a democratically elected government and a Dictatorship! A Dictator would have succumbed to a single phone call.
Saudi was giving us free oil worth $2 billion since 1998 to 2008 (in the beginning Pakistan said it was deffered payment but no payment was claimed and the word deferred was used to hide it from jealous powers. In fact, it was free oil). . No one questions, Gen Musharraf receiving that $2 billion every year and when same Saudi gives less than that money, suddenly everyone is talking.
y all r looking upward??