ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs on Tuesday called upon the government to be careful and maintain neutrality in cooperation with regard to the Saudi Arabia’s initiative of formation of a coalition of Islamic countries against terrorism.
The members of the committee here at its meeting at the Parliament House, voiced their concerns on the matter and said that any involvement in Syrian issue would have a negative repercussion on Pakistan’s internal situation.
The meeting was presided over by chairperson of the committee PML-N’s Senator Mrs. Nuzhat Sadiq. The senators were of the view that national interests must be protected and neutrality be maintained at all costs.
The committee observed that Pakistan places its relationship with Saudi Arabia at high esteem and intends to further strengthen already existing relations. The forum discussed in detail Pakistan’s position with regards to the 34-state military alliance announced by Saudi Arabia.
On this occasion, Secretary Foreign Affairs Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry informed that Pakistan had consistently supported all regional and international efforts to combat militancy, extremism and terrorism.
He said that Pakistan welcomed the formation of 34-nation coalition to counter terrorism. He added the coalition was a grouping of like-minded countries to fight against terrorism and extremism. He contended that the coalition’s facets of cooperation would be decided in due course of time through the consultative meetings among the 34 countries.
Regarding meeting of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif with Vice President of USA Joe Biden at Davos, the secretary informed the meeting that Nawaz Sharif had a trilateral meeting with US Vice President and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos.
Sartaj Aziz, Adviser to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs said that US had appreciated the recent progress on Afghan peace process. He said that Pakistan wanted peace and stability in Afghanistan and hoped that the Quadrilateral Coordination Group would usher Afghanistan into a peaceful place, which would also contribute to the regional and global peace. He said that efforts were underway for direct talks between Afghan government and Taliban.
The committee appreciated the candid and detailed briefing of the foreign ministry and called for early resolution of issues through peaceful means for regional peace and stability keeping in view the national interests.
The meeting was attended among others by Senators PPP’s Farhatullah Babar, Mushahid Hussain Sayed of PML-Q, Muhammad Daud Khan Achakzai of ANP, Col ( R ) Syed Tahir Hussain Mashhadi of MQM, Karim Ahmed Khawaja of PPP, PTI’s Shibli Faraz and senior officers of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
http://www.thenews.com.pk/print/97223-Senate-body-warns-govt-againsttaking-sides-in-Saudi-led-alliance
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