Mazari questions why the Foreign Office was taken by surprise about Pakistan’s inclusion in the alliance; says alliance appears to be directed against Iran
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Information Secretary Dr Shireen Mazari expressed serious concern on Thursday over the news that Pakistan had become party to a military alliance formed by Saudi Arabia ostensibly to combat terrorism.
In a statement released to the media, Mazari wondered why the Foreign Office was taken by surprise over this move and who had made the commitment on Pakistan’s behalf.
She said that even more disturbing was the statement by the US welcoming what they termed a “Sunni” alliance to fight Daesh.
Mazari expressed fear that such an alliance which leaves out Iran, a critical force fighting Daesh, would create further fissures within Muslim polities and states. She said that such an alliance seemed to be directed against Iran in seeking to isolate it.
She demanded that the government inform the nation as to how this alliance came about and for the government to insist that Iran be invited to join so that there is a comprehensive alliance of Muslim states to combat all forms of extremism and terrorism.
