Not part of 34-country grand bloc against terror yet: Sartaj Aziz

Advisor to Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz has said that the country has neither signed an official agreement with Saudi Arabia nor joined the 34-country alliance to fight terror, a private news outlet reported on Wednesday.

While forwarding a written reply in the matter in the National Assembly (NA), Aziz said that Pakistan has welcomed Saudi-called grand alliance of 34-countries against extremism, but the country has not formally joined the bloc yet.

He cited the need for technical assistance and other detailed discussions in the matter before taking a step.

He said that other Muslim countries are also joining the grand alliance in a bid to root-out terrorism. However, the interest of Syria, Iraq and Iran about participation in the alliance has not been asked. A meeting of the foreign and defence ministers of the alliance is going to be held later this month, but no tentative date has been given so far.

If a meeting is held, Pakistan would raise questions regarding the participation of the three Muslim countries, he added.

The former national security advisor said that Pakistan would stand by Saudi Arabia for its stability and sovereignty. He said that 1,000 to 1,200 Pakistani troops are always there in Saudi Arabia in light of the defense agreement signed in 1982.

Pakistan People’s Party (PPP)’s Shahida Rehmani posed a question asking Aziz to clarify whether Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had visited Nawaz Sharif’s residence in Lahore’s Jati Umra for a business deal or to attend his granddaughter’s wedding.

Replying to the question, the former NSA said that Modi’s Lahore visit revitalised Pakistan-India efforts for better relations and for resolving the outstanding issues.

Earlier on January13, Aziz had said that Pakistan is part of the Saudi Arabia-led alliance but would not send its forces. He had said that sending forces in any country is against the government’s policy.

Pakistan would only send its forces for peacekeeping missions of the United Nations (UN), he added. The NSA also said that Saudi Arabia has not requested Pakistan to send its forces.

On December 15, Pakistan had sought a report from the Saudi authorities over announcement of Pakistan’s participation without having reached a decision through consultation.

Foreign Office (FO) contacted the Pakistani ambassador in Riyadh and demanded a report on the issue. In the past, Saudi Arabia has announced Pakistan’s name as an ally in its war against Yemen’s Houthis.