Saudi Arabia is in talks with Pakistan to provide anti-aircraft and anti-tank rockets to Syrian rebels to try to tip the balance in the war to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad, a Saudi source said Sunday.
The United States has long opposed arming the rebels with such weapons, fearing they might end up in the hands of extremists, but Syrian opposition figures say the failure of Geneva peace talks seems to have led Washington to soften its opposition.
Pakistan makes its own version of Chinese shoulder-launched anti-aircraft missiles, known as Anza, and anti-tank rockets — both of which Riyadh is trying to get for the rebels, said the source, who is close to Saudi decision-makers, requesting anonymity.
The source pointed to a visit to Riyadh earlier this month by Pakistan’s army chief of staff General Raheel Sharif, who met Crown Prince Salman bin Abdul Aziz.
Prince Salman himself last week led a large delegation to Pakistan, shortly after Saudi’s chief diplomat Prince Saud al-Faisal visited the kingdom’s key ally.
Jordan will be providing facilities to store the weapons before they are delivered to rebels within Syria, the same source said.
AFP could not obtain confirmation from officials in Saudi, Pakistan or Jordan.
The head of the Syrian opposition, Ahmad Jarba, promised during a flying visit to northern Syria last week that “powerful arms will be arriving soon.”
Rebels have long said that anti-aircraft and anti-tank rockets would help tip the balance in the battle against Assad’s forces, which enjoy air superiority.
The nearly-three-year conflict in Syria has torn the country apart, killing more than 140,000 people, including some 50,000 civilians, according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
Pakistan should under no circumstances supply these weapons and create new enemies in the Middle East. There could be one exception only, Saudi Arabia also places an order for 50 JF Thunder Aircraft and pays upfront, funds Pakistan needs desperately, only then should we consider selling ,missiles, which should be delivered to Saudi Arabia directly, they can ship them where they want. It would then be a considered a pure commercial transaction.They have spent hundreds of billions of dollars on useless American military equipment, let them spend a billion or two on one of the most modern military aircraft. They MUST put its money where its mouth is.
The Kingdom needs to realize, now that US is becoming self sufficient in oil, their cozy relationship is about to end. Saudis will need Pakistan's help and its military hardware more than ever before. Pakistan does not need to beg or borrow, simply tell them, if you need our help in other areas, let us see a billion dollar or two on the table for military hardware orders – cash upfront.
Do you think it is for free Saudi Arabia is ordering the weapons from Pakistan?
Americans have taken them for a ride for years selling them useless weapons and AWAC aircraft that they don't need. JF17Thunder is the better version of F16, which Saudi Air force can use effectively.
Pakistan should feed to its people,provide clean food and water, ISI must avoid involving Pakistan in any Saudi terrorists wars.
One way of feeding people is export and earn what it can rather than beg from IMF. This aircraft could earn Pakistan billions of dollars.
pakistan should not provide these weapons to be used in syria.
Pakistan needs not to support in this war… Lets Arab and Iran to settle their disputes. Lets me say, Pakistan is single country which in future can play a fair role in bringing Iran and Arab countries resolving their issues, like it had role in developing China, America relationship.
Agree Pakistan must not get involved in Syria, but if Saudis want to buy weapons and we don't sell them, someone else will, there are plenty of arms traders around the world. Hence the suggestion that if they want our weapons, then they must show the money and buy some aircraft too, so at least the people of Pakistan benefit in a commercial transaction.
Tenacity of Haque's contradictory argument is bewildering. Pakistan's produce of arms is of a very high standard and they must sell well. But I shall refrain from discussing a sensitive issue like this in this fashion. This requires a a detailed and a very sensible analysis weighing benefits against the adverse outcome of such a decision. Pakistan has its own problems to contend with. Any how this needs to be approached with an open mind.
.
A fruit of master-slave relation …
.
It is better to stay away from others wars. We already have enough enemies in our own courtyards.
Pakiaran is not alone manufacturing these weapons and SA is not bound to buy weapons from Pakistan. We are to sell the weapons to SA. We should not lose this opportunity to market out military manufactures on sheer suspicions. Such a deal may afffect our foreign policy. But I am lured by the deal that Pakistan may not lose this oppotunity to export arms manufactured in Pakistan, when we are not sure about its ultimate diversion to other routes.
We are already fighting a useless war with TTP so idiot Pak Gov.t shouldn't take any wrong steps…
The Syrian rebels are taliban and alqaeda, and this request simply confirms the fact that Saudi Arabia is the greatest supporter of taliban and alqaeda. Saudi Arabia is the worst enemy of humanity
Better Pakistan Avoid Being Into Another War:|
Its Hoped Pakistan Can Made Its Stance Clear All The Way Ahead
Are the nukes bought from US and China not enough for Saudi Arabia to overthrow Assad's regime? Pakistan has friendly relations with both the states. Saudi Arab may buy weapons for defence purposes but that will not be used against Assad Regime.
Pakistan has always said that reports about Pakistan Saudi nuclear deal are speculative, mischievous and baseless as Pakistan is a responsible nuclear weapon having comprehensive export controls
Pakistan has taken a strong position against the intervention of foreign forces in Syria, and such a position is altogether different than the expectation of the United States that is proposing to resolve the Syrian crises through intervention of foreign forces, such as it did in Libya.
Pakistani policy makers with the current government national security interests are going the wrong way; Pakistan has no conflict with any of the Middle East country and should not indulge itself with any such agreement that can restrict its friendly relations with the other states in Middle East. Pakistan should follow a non-allied policy to secure its national interests.
Nawaz will sell anything to Saudis even his own ——-his quest for money is never ending
The iPhone 6 features a 4.7-inch display and a new metal design that is a little slippery, so make sure you check out iPhone 6 cases. The iPhone 6 Plus uses the same design, but is much bigger with a 5.5-inch display.
Comments are closed.