Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director-General Lt-Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry has said that Pakistan’s presence in Saudi Arabia is part of a longstanding defence relationship, adding that Pakistan has defended Saudi Arabia in the past, are doing so now, and will continue to protect the kingdom in the future, reported 24NewsHD TV Channel.
In an interview with CNN, the DG ISPR noted that Pakistani forces have been present in Saudi Arabia for decades, serving across various domains and capacities. He clarified that the objective of the joint defense agreement is not to designate any party as an enemy or an ally.
He said with an emerging trilateral arrangement involving Turkey aimed at deterring potential aggression against the kingdom.
He also stressed that Islamabad remains committed to a negotiated and peaceful resolution of the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran.
ISPR Director General Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry has said Pakistan is acting as an honest broker while mediating between the United States and Iran, reiterating the commitment to a negotiated and peaceful outcome.
An attack on one will be considered an attack on all, Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said, explaining the principle underpinning the collective deterrence arrangement under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement.
He said the three countries possessed important military, diplomatic and other capabilities that could make potential adversaries reconsider hostile actions.
“Anyone who is having some funny ideas against any other will hopefully think twice, thrice or multiple times before doing that,” he said.
“That stops something happening, something terrible happening. So that is how this collective deterrence works. The collective security works,” he added.
Lt-Gen Chaudhry said the arrangement was not intended to categorise countries as enemies or friends but to ensure the defence of Saudi Arabia.
“The objective is that this is not to start labelling enemies, enemies, enemies, friends, friends, friends. The objective is the defence of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia, their values and infrastructure. So that will be done,” he said.
When asked by CNN Senior International Correspondent Ivan Watson about the number of Pakistani troops deployed in Saudi Arabia under the alliance’s defence commitments, he declined to disclose the exact figure.
Asked whether Pakistan was continuing to mediate between Washington and Tehran as their conflict destabilised the region and disrupted energy prices and markets, DG ISPR said that Islamabad remained committed to a negotiated settlement.
“Pakistan is committed to a negotiated and a peaceful outcome of this conflict,” he said.
He said that Islamabad had been working, was continuing to work and would continue to do whatever was possible and necessary to narrow differences between the warring parties. “We have been done and we are doing and we will continue to do whatever possible and whatever necessary so that the differences, the gaps narrows down and there is a negotiated peaceful outcome of this conflict,” he said.
The military spokesperson said Pakistan wanted to prevent the conflict from spreading or escalating further. “And we want that this conflict should not expand horizontally or vertically,” he added.
Asked whether Pakistan could continue to act as a neutral mediator given Iran’s previous attacks on Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries, as well as Houthi attacks on the kingdom, the military spokesperson said Islamabad’s approach demonstrated its commitment to acting as an honest broker, arguing that neutrality in mediation stemmed from honesty rather than avoiding criticism of the parties involved.
“I think Pakistan, what has been doing has been exhibiting that we have been a very honest broker. So the neutrality or everything stems from honesty,” he said.
He said Islamabad had been clear about its position towards its partners and friends, citing its responses to attacks involving Iran, Israel and the United States, as well as Iranian attacks on Arab and Gulf countries.
“Once the Iranians were attacked by the Israelis and the conflict initiated and they were attacked by the United States and Israelis, Pakistan openly came and condemned that,” Chaudhry said.
“Once the Iranians attacked the Arab countries, the Gulf countries, Pakistan openly came and condemned that,” he added.
The military spokesperson said Pakistan had not hesitated to express its position because regional peace and stability were directly linked to its interests. “So we are very honest about it. We don’t mince our words. Why? Because we have a stake in regional peace and stability,” he said.
DG ISPR warned that an expansion of the conflict would benefit no one, reiterating Islamabad’s position that differences between the parties should be resolved through negotiations. “We tell all that nobody benefits from expanding this war,” he said.
PAK SOUCH MEDIA GROUP
Daily Pak Souch Newspaper Sukkur – Daily Pak Special Newspaper Karachi – Daily Pak Today Newspaper Karachi – Daily Pak Jazbo Newspaper Sukkur
Head Office : Ayub Gate Shaikh Muhalla Near Rabbania Masjid Sukkur
Karachi Office : Office No. 1901-B, 19th Floor Saima Trade Tower (B) Block I.I Chandigarh Road Near Jung Press, Shaheen Complex & National Museum of Pakistan Karachi Sindh Pakistan.
Contact : 03009319022
Website 1 : https://paksouch.com/
Website 2 : https://sindhi.paksouch.com/
Website 3 : https://pakjazbo.com/
Website 4 : https://urdu.pakjazbo.com/
About The Author
