Saudi-led military alliance against terrorism not Iran: Foreign Secretary

ISLAMABAD: The 41-member military alliance led by Pakistan’s former Army Chief General (retd) Raheel Sharif is against terrorism, Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua told parliamentarians during a meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs on Tuesday.

Tehmina Janjua reiterated that the former chief of army staff would not work against Iranian interests neither would any retired soldier be part of any military action against it; further adding that Pakistan remains committed to its policy of not becoming a party to any conflict between Muslim states.

She added that the military alliance is not against any country and Islamabad is making efforts to reduce tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran.

“There is no border dispute between Pakistan and Iran, in fact, it is a shared border of friendship,” she said.

Janjua stated in the meeting that there is no rivalry between Gwadar and Chahbahar – as both of them are sister ports.

Responding to a question, the foreign secretary debunked the perception that the work on Pak-Iran gas pipeline project has been suspended because of American pressure, contrary to it, both the neighboring countries have agreed to take it forward.

The foreign secretary said that Oman was the 41st country to have become a member of the alliance and more countries are expected to join the multi-nation alliance.

Earlier, Ambassador of Iran to Pakistan expressed reservations over the role of General (Retd) Raheel Sharif's role as head of the Saudi-led military alliance.

Mehdi Honardoost said, “It was correct that Pakistan had contacted Iranian officials before issuing the NOC, but it did not indicate that Iran was satisfied with this decision or it had accepted the same,” stated a press release issued by the Iran`s official news outlet, Islamic Republic News Agency.

He further said: “All important Islamic countries should come together to form a coalition of peace to resolve their issues rather forming a controversial military alliance.”

The government of Pakistan agreed to give a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) to former Chief of Army Staff General (Retd) Raheel Sharif to lead a 39-nation alliance of Muslim states led by Saudi Arabia.