Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Thursday denied speculation that Pakistan was sending its troops to Bahrain and Saudi Arab, a private news channel reported.
In response to a question posed by media representatives after a ceremony at the M M Alam airbase in Mianwali, the premier said Pakistan was not sending its forces to either of these countries and neither had it been approached to do so.
The prime minister’s statement came after the rumors that dignitaries from Saudi Arabia and Bahrain during their recent visit to Pakistan have requested for troops for possible assistance to counter rebels in Syria.
He said the Bahraini king’s visit to Pakistan was beneficial to the country and should be viewed as such, adding that the country was faced with multiple challenges and timely decisions needed to be made.
King Hamad bin Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa of Bahrain is on a three-day official visit to Pakistan, leading a 21-member delegation which includes his top defence and internal security chiefs.
On Wednesday, King Hamad along with his delegation made an unprecedented visit to the Joint Services Headquarters (JSHQ) in Rawalpindi where both sides discussed “brotherly relations between the two countries and vowed to further enhance military cooperation”.
Pakistan has been looking at the visit as an opportunity for expanding trade and promoting investment links but Bahrain appears more interested in bolstering defence relationship.
In 2011, Pakistan had helped Bahrain quell an uprising against the monarchy by sending security personnel recruited through military’s welfare wings — Fauji Foundation and Bahria Foundation.
Also today, the Mianwali airbase was renamed to M M Alam airbase with the prime minister presiding over the plaque inauguration.
A brother and sister of Air Commodore (retd) Muhammad Mahmood Alam Khan were also present on the occasion.
Sharif praised Pakistan Air Force (PAF) to be one of the best in the world, adding the government is aware of the needs and requirements of PAF.
M M Alam, a veteran of the 1965 and 1971 wars, had passed away in a hospital in Karachi in March 2013 after a long illness.
If not serving personnel but retired will be sent including those who are considered as strategic assets. I hope this does not happen for any unholy activities. We should remind them that though we respect Kings and prince from your states but we are also King Kong. Interestingly Lion (king) is logo of PML-N though with goats tail.
Saudi are our brothers. They are one who stood with us in every moment of crisis. Islamic Republic of Pakistan should help the brothers by all means. There are always dirty elements in Pakistan talking against Saudi Arabia. Neglect them Mr Prime Minister. You are elected and has obligation towards the people of Pakistan. Give us peace, harmony, environment for investment and self confident Pakistan with it's Islamic justice enforcement as soon as possible.
Dear PM, as far as I know, a Battalion or more of our regular army is deployed to Bahrain for years to protect the King and his interests, not sure about other countries. What is this new development? Hope we are not sending troops to crush conduct operations in Eastern provinces of Saudi Arabia and Syria!!! Zai’s operation against Palestinians is not hidden from the world, only issue is our history books do not mention such heroic acts of our great leader .
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