Pakistan - SENATE BODY WARNS GOVERNMENT AGAINST TAKING SIDES IN SYRIAN CONFLICT

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 senators were of the view that national interests must be protected and neutrality be maintained at all costs. The meeting was chaired by Senator Nuzhat Sadiq. 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 Pakistan wanted peace and stability in Afghanistan and efforts were underway for direct talks between Afghan government and Taliban which are expected by the end of February. With regard to efforts for easing tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia, he said that they will take time to show results.

Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed said that although Pakistan is a part of 34 countries Saudi-led alliance but she should remain neutral on Syrian issue. 

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