General Raheel to address Tehran’s concerns: NSA

Nasser Khan Janjua says former army chief will not do anything against the interests of Iran

ISLAMABAD: Adviser to the Prime Minister on National Security Nasser Khan Janjua has said former army chief General Raheel Sharif will address Iran’s concerns once he assumes charge as the head of Saudi Arabia-led military alliance.

“The former army chief, who will soon take charge of the alliance, is a well-wisher of Iran and he will allay all its concerns regarding the coalition.

“Pakistan and its people have great love and affection for Iran and General Raheel Sharif will not do anything, which is against the interests of Iran,” Gen Janjua said on Friday while speaking to reporters after addressing a seminar.

The national security adviser, who has served under General Raheel, insisted that the 41-nation alliance that Saudi Arabia announced in December 2015 is not against Iran or any other country.

His statement came after Iran voiced its concerns over Pakistan’s decision to allow the former army chief to lead the alliance.  Tehran views the Saudi initiative with suspicion and contests its claims that the objective of the alliance is to fight terrorism



Pakistan, however, attempted to dispel the impression about the sectarian outlook of the alliance insisting that the country would not become part of any initiative aimed at any other Muslim country including Iran.

The government has already clarified that the role of Pakistan Army would remain confined to borders of Saudi Arabia. General Raheel is also keen to include Iran in the alliance, whose terms of references have not yet been finalised.



According to Radio Pakistan, Gen Janjua said Pakistan was playing a frontline role for peace in the world. He said the country had been offering sacrifices over the past four decades. “Pakistan has also offered India to join China-Pakistan Economic Corridor,” he said, while responding to a question.