Pakistan values Saudis but it supports peace too

[Dubious]

• Pakistani leadership assures Saudi FM of formally joining ‘alliance against terrorism’ but says it won’t send combat troops to Yemen or Syria
• PM Nawaz urges Saudi FM Adel Bin Ahmed Al Jubeir to resolve standoff with Iran diplomatically

Pakistan on Thursday assured Saudi Arabia that it would formally join the ‘34-nation military alliance of Muslim countries against terrorism’, however Islamabad has not yet committed to sending combat troops to Syria or Yemen as per the Saudi request, Pakistan Today has learnt reliably.

A well-placed source privy to the details of the meetings between the visiting Saudi foreign minister and the Pakistani leadership revealed that Pakistan has assured Saudi Arabia of increasing the number of trainers for combat troops and intelligence sharing.

“However, Pakistan has made it clear it would not send its combat troops to the Kingdom. Pakistan is ready to upgrade the strength of the armed forces stationed in the Kingdom to safeguard the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Saudi Arabia,” the source added.

The government source said that Pakistan will act without delay if the integrity and sovereignty of the Kingdom is threatened.

“However, we don’t want to enter into any controversy by taking sides with either of the two feuding countries – Saudi Arabia and Iran,” the source said.

Earlier, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Bin Ahmed Al Jubeir held separate talks with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif and PM’s Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz over Pakistan’s possible role in Saudi Arabia-led alliance against terrorism and extremism in Middle East.

Jubeir’s visit comes at a time when Pakistan is trying to follow a delicate path in order to preempt any negative fallout of the escalation in tension between Riyadh and Tehran over the former’s execution of prominent Shia cleric Nimr al-Nimr.

The Saudi dignitary, who is on a two-day visit to Pakistan, called on Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif at the PM’s House and exchanged views on regional security.

During the meeting, Premier Sharif stressed the need for easing tension between Tehran and Riyadh through peaceful diplomatic channels. He said the Muslim Ummah needed to a pivotal role in order to bring the two countries closer.

According to sources, prior to Jubeir’s arrival, a high-level meeting under Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had taken place in which Pak-Saudi relations were discussed.

Prior to his meeting with Sharif, the foreign dignitary called on Army chief Raheel Sharif at the General Headquarters and discussed regional security with him. He commended Pakistan’s phenomenal successes in the fight against terrorism and efforts towards regional stability.

Later, the Saudi FM held talks with PM’s Adviser Sartaj Aziz over bilateral cooperation.

Jubeir was originally supposed to visit Pakistan last Sunday but he had delayed his trip due to the situation arising from an escalation in tension between Saudi Arabia and Iran.

Pakistan has voiced deep concerns over the Saudi-Iran row and warned that dark forces of extremism and terrorism could take advantage of this division between the Muslim countries.

This supercharged atmosphere has even put Pakistan in a tight corner as far as its role in the Saudi-led 34-nation alliance is concerned. Although Pakistan has announced its participation in the alliance, the scope of its participation is yet to be decided.


Mian Abrar
The writer heads Pakistan Today's Islamabad Bureau. He has a special focus on counter-terrorism and inter-state relations in Asia, Asia Pacific and South East Asia regions.


Pakistan values Saudis but it supports peace too | Pakistan Today

 

[HRK]

“However, Pakistan has made it clear it would not send its combat troops to the Kingdom. Pakistan is ready to upgrade the strength of the armed forces stationed in the Kingdom to safeguard the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Saudi Arabia,” the source added.

well well well ... nothing more nothing less is left to say in this matter .... a very balance decision

 

[Moonlight]

Pakistan has good relations with both KSA and Iran & that's really sensible decision. As we are already going though so much in Pakistan. We should avoid getting involved in any external problems.

 

[INDIAPOSITIVE]

S. Arabia assured of support
BAQIR SAJJAD SYED— UPDATED32 MINUTES AGO
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ISLAMABAD: Saudi Foreign Minister Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir shaking hands with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif before their meeting at the PM House.—INP
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan reaffirmed on Thursday its support to Saudi Arabia, which is embroiled in a tense standoff with Iran, and the counter-terrorism coalition that it (Riyadh) was setting up.

The reiteration of support for the Saudi government was made during a shortened visit by Saudi Foreign Minister Dr Adel Al-Jubeir to Islamabad for discussions on his country’s diplomatic row with Iran and the multinational coalition against terrorism it (Saudi Arabia) had announced.

“People of Pakistan held the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in high esteem and also had deep respect for the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. … (they) will always stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of Saudi Arabia against any threat to its territorial integrity and sovereignty,” PM Sharif told FM Jubeir, while assuring him of Pakistan’s unconditional support.

Additionally, a media statement said the two sides discussed regional and global issues of common concern and agreed on promoting multi-faceted cooperation.

Foreign Minister Jubeir holds talks with Sharif, army chief
The Saudi foreign minister started his whirlwind tour of Islamabad with a meeting with Army Chief Gen Raheel Sharif at GHQ and then visited Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif at his residence before concluding the trip with a meeting with Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz.

Mr Jubeir, who led a 17-member delegation, stayed in Islamabad for a little over six hours. His trip was officially described as a ‘working visit’.

He was to originally visit Islamabad on Sunday, but postponed it at the eleventh hour due to the storming of Saudi embassy in Tehran by protesters agitating against the execution of Saudi dissident Sheikh Nimr Baqir Al-Nimr.

As the Saudi foreign minister landed in Islamabad, protesters from various religious parties held a protest demonstration in the federal capital’s D-Chowk against Pakistan’s decision to join the Saudi-led coalition and execution of Sheikh Nimr.

The Foreign Office cancelled a planned joint press conference by Mr Aziz and Mr Jubeir to avoid possible media questions over the recent regional developments involving Saudi Arabia.

A statement issued by the Foreign Office said that Mr Jubeir talked about tensions with Iran during his meetings.

Pakistan, which had already condemned the Saudi embassy incident, went a step further by noting it “believes in respect for international norms and adherence to non-interference”.

Counter-terrorism coalition
Besides the tensions with Iran, the Saudi foreign minister was said to have briefed Prime Minister Sharif on details of the counter-terrorism coalition.

Saudi Arabia had last month announced that it was establishing a 34-nation coalition to fight terrorism. The government at the time of announcement of the coalition, in which Pakistan had been included, conceded that it did not know much about the group, but still agreed to join it. It was also said that the extent of involvement in the activities would be decided after Riyadh shared the details.

Speaking to Mr Jubeir, Mr Sharif said: “Pakistan welcomes Saudi Arabia’s initiative and supports all such regional and international efforts to counter terrorism and extremism.”

During the delegation-level meeting the two sides led by the respective foreign ministers, agreed on engaging the clergy for formulating a narrative against extremism and terrorism.



S. Arabia assured of support - Newspaper - DAWN.COM

 

[Sam.]

@Serpentine

 

[SQ8]

There goes the ring that starts a massive sectarian civil war in Pakistan.

 

[Providence]

I doubt a blank cheque has ever helped any one !

 

[Hakikat ve Hikmet]

S. Arabia assured of support
BAQIR SAJJAD SYED— UPDATED32 MINUTES AGO
WHATSAPP
27 COMMENTS
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ISLAMABAD: Saudi Foreign Minister Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir shaking hands with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif before their meeting at the PM House.—INP
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan reaffirmed on Thursday its support to Saudi Arabia, which is embroiled in a tense standoff with Iran, and the counter-terrorism coalition that it (Riyadh) was setting up.

The reiteration of support for the Saudi government was made during a shortened visit by Saudi Foreign Minister Dr Adel Al-Jubeir to Islamabad for discussions on his country’s diplomatic row with Iran and the multinational coalition against terrorism it (Saudi Arabia) had announced.

“People of Pakistan held the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in high esteem and also had deep respect for the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. … (they) will always stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of Saudi Arabia against any threat to its territorial integrity and sovereignty,” PM Sharif told FM Jubeir, while assuring him of Pakistan’s unconditional support.

Additionally, a media statement said the two sides discussed regional and global issues of common concern and agreed on promoting multi-faceted cooperation.

Foreign Minister Jubeir holds talks with Sharif, army chief
The Saudi foreign minister started his whirlwind tour of Islamabad with a meeting with Army Chief Gen Raheel Sharif at GHQ and then visited Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif at his residence before concluding the trip with a meeting with Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz.

Mr Jubeir, who led a 17-member delegation, stayed in Islamabad for a little over six hours. His trip was officially described as a ‘working visit’.

He was to originally visit Islamabad on Sunday, but postponed it at the eleventh hour due to the storming of Saudi embassy in Tehran by protesters agitating against the execution of Saudi dissident Sheikh Nimr Baqir Al-Nimr.

As the Saudi foreign minister landed in Islamabad, protesters from various religious parties held a protest demonstration in the federal capital’s D-Chowk against Pakistan’s decision to join the Saudi-led coalition and execution of Sheikh Nimr.

The Foreign Office cancelled a planned joint press conference by Mr Aziz and Mr Jubeir to avoid possible media questions over the recent regional developments involving Saudi Arabia.

A statement issued by the Foreign Office said that Mr Jubeir talked about tensions with Iran during his meetings.

Pakistan, which had already condemned the Saudi embassy incident, went a step further by noting it “believes in respect for international norms and adherence to non-interference”.

Counter-terrorism coalition
Besides the tensions with Iran, the Saudi foreign minister was said to have briefed Prime Minister Sharif on details of the counter-terrorism coalition.

Saudi Arabia had last month announced that it was establishing a 34-nation coalition to fight terrorism. The government at the time of announcement of the coalition, in which Pakistan had been included, conceded that it did not know much about the group, but still agreed to join it. It was also said that the extent of involvement in the activities would be decided after Riyadh shared the details.

Speaking to Mr Jubeir, Mr Sharif said: “Pakistan welcomes Saudi Arabia’s initiative and supports all such regional and international efforts to counter terrorism and extremism.”

During the delegation-level meeting the two sides led by the respective foreign ministers, agreed on engaging the clergy for formulating a narrative against extremism and terrorism.



S. Arabia assured of support - Newspaper - DAWN.COM

If we want avoid bloodshed Turkey, KSA, Egypt and Pakistan must form an alliance to give a strong message to Iranians with Pesrisn Empire building aspiration beneath the cloak of Shii ideology.

 

[CHD]

I doubt a blank cheque has ever helped any one !

I dont think a couple of billions dollars is gonna make Pakistan interested for such high risk and plus the chinese have now set a huge benchmark $46 billion

 

[Donald Trump]

There goes the ring that starts a massive sectarian civil war in Pakistan.

And Iran is gonna get pissed off too!

 

[rashid.sarwar]

unconditional excluding military.....

 

[Dubious]

well well well ... nothing more nothing less is left to say in this matter .... a very balance decision

Congratulations!!! you are a mod...looks like my suggestions long back eventually do become realities ....

Oh man I am just too intelligent management is soo slow in realizing who I suggest

 

[Providence]

I dont think a couple of billions dollars is gonna make Pakistan interested for such high risk and plus the chinese have now set a huge benchmark $46 billion

It's the other way brother. It's pakistan giving a blank cheque !

 

[Maarkhoor]

Pakistan pledges support but also mentioned clearly that Pakistan always remain neutral between Iran and Saudia.

 

[Icarus]

It's the other way brother. It's pakistan giving a blank cheque !

Unless Iran breaches the Saudi Border, Pakistan will be under no compulsion to intervene between the two. As for training expertise, we owe them that much.