The adviser to prime minister on foreign affairs, Sartaj Aziz, has told Senate that the exclusion of some Islamic countries from the Saudi-led 34-nation anti-terror alliance will be discussed at international level.
Answering a question posed by Senate chairman on exclusion of four Islamic countries from the Saudi-led alliance, Aziz said on Monday the issue would be discussed in upcoming meetings in the next couple of weeks and also in the upcoming Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) summit.
“We have some ideas about the issue which are yet to be discussed,” he added.
Aziz, while winding up a motion moved by Senator Sehar Kamran about success and failure of Pakistan’s foreign policy, said the prime objective of country’s foreign policy was to protect Pakistan’s interests, sovereignty, security and non-interference in other countries’ affairs.
He was of the view that Pakistan took principled stance on all issues including those of Middle East and Arab countries.
“On the Syrian war, we supported Syrian sovereignty and territorial integrity while on Yemen issue we showed solidarity with Saudi Arabia and stressed peaceful resolution of the issue through dialogue process,” said the premier’s adviser.
Spelling out the top priorities of country’s foreign policy,Aziz said that Pakistan believes that a peaceful neighbourhood is essential for economic revival and progress, adding the country’s focus was on trade and investment and not aid.
Aziz added that when the PML-N came into power, the prime minister wrote letters to all missions that economic diplomacy was the country’s top priority.
Talking about recent terrorists incidents in Afghanistan, he said that it was Afghanistan’s internal issue, adding that “Pakistan has no favourite group in Afghanistan and it is committed to durable peace in the neighbouring country”.
Aziz claimed that that due to successful foreign policy of Pakistan, Indian government came upon the table to start comprehensive dialogue process with Pakistan on all outstanding issues, as Pakistan has successfully and forcefully presented its case on all international forums.
He also informed the Senators that due to successful foreign visits of Nawaz Sharif, foreign investment and mega projects have been initiated.
He added that due to the foreign policy pursued by the regime, a country like Russia has promised investment in gas pipeline and the Central Asian Countries have also shown willingness to join China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project.
Syria is in a need of united Muslim army….instead of NATO…..if terrorists are destroying the image of Islam than it is the duty of Muslims to eliminate them…it is not the duty of Christians.
Syria is in a state of civil war. It should sort out it's own problems. There should be no foreign interference.—-period.
It is a classical case of shutting the barn door after the horse has escaped. KSA has announced the formation of anti terror alliance without taking Pakistan into confidence. Pakistan is doing the catch up and is in a embarassing position. Whenever such a grand alliance is dreamed of the following steps should have be taken in account.
1) Consultation with allies. It did not take place. Pakistan was informed retrorespectively.
2) Aims. these should be precise. Most of the Middel East countries appear to be in civil war. Using moslem alliances to face such unreast is not going to work.
3)Cost and benefit to each country in short term and long term.
4) Principal allies. Who should lead. It appears KSA has appointed itself as the leader. Why?. But at the same times it appears that Pakistan and Turkey would lead in military terms.
5)The end game. Terrorisim cannot be eliminted because terrorist don't hold a territory. They move. One can reduce them to a manageable level only. They are non state actors.
6)Political,economical arm twisting to force countries can work only for a limited time and no more.
7) Moslem world is ruled by theocratic,autocratic, monarchial, presidential and parliament form of governments. In the present scenario a monarachy is calling the tunes. Should Pakistan fall in line.? That is the dilemma for a democratic Govt.
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