Saudi Arabia seeks Pakistan's cooperation for NATO-like military alliance

[ACE OF THE AIR]

RIYADH (Web Desk) – Saudi Arabia has appealed Pakistan to cooperate on formation of NATO-like military alliance of Muslim countries, sources told Dunya News.

According to sources, both sides have agreed to continue consultation on the matter.

The appeal comes at a time when Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif returned Pakistan after completing a three-day official visit to Saudi Arabia.

During the visit, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif witnessed the military exercises ‘North Thunder’.

Earlier on Friday, Nawaz Sharif held a meeting with King Salman bin Abdulaziz in the Saudi city of Hafr al-Batin and thanked him for Saudi Arabia’s strong and consistent support to Pakistan.

Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi were also present on the occasion.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister admired the successful completion of the joint military exercises that brought together contingents from about two dozen Islamic countries.

He said these exercises would promote unity among the two countries and demonstrate their resolve to further step up efforts to counter militancy and terrorism.

King Salman bin Abdulaziz said that this has enhanced cooperation and understanding between the armed forces of the two countries and reinforced the existing bilateral relations.

It may be mentioned here that the parliament last year refused to send forces to help a Saudi-led Arab coalition fighting Iran-backed Huthi rebels in Yemen.

But on January 18, Pakistan "assured the kingdom of its support" for a separate Saudi coalition of 34 nations to combat "terrorism" in the Islamic world, the Pakistani statement said.

"It was agreed that both countries would work together to defeat our common enemy -– terrorism and extremism."

Diplomats have said it remained unclear how the 34-nation coalition will work in practice.

Pakistan has deep military connections with Saudi Arabia and it has long benefited from the oil-rich kingdom‘s largesse. Nawaz Sharif himself has close personal ties with the Saudi royal family who sheltered him during years in exile.


Saudi Arabia seeks Pakistan's cooperation for NATO-like military alliance - Pakistan - Dunya News

 

[Imran Khan]

as i remember pakistan is still paying the price of being a member of CETO and CENTO

 

[cloud4000]

Good idea. High time Muslim countries take care of their own problems instead of relying on US or other superpowers.

 

[Sinnerman108]

With a history of treachery and deceit ; alliance is a rich word for Muslims.

 

[ACE OF THE AIR]

as i remember pakistan is still paying the price of being a member of CETO and CENTO

It could be different as now Pakistan might be in lead rather then taking orders from the bigger players at that time. CETO and CENTO had to purchase weapons from the west where as not in the present situation as most of the weapons are produced in various countries that are part of the alliance.

However, IMO one should not leave IRAN out of this alliance because this would create an other block within the regional countries raising the tensions.

 

[Old School]

Very bad idea. Saudis want to use Pakistan to do their dirty jobs by putting corrupt politicians on their payroll. Avoid the Saudis like plague. Pakistan comes first.

 

[Humble Analyst]

Very bad idea. Saudis want to use Pakistan to do their dirty jobs by putting corrupt politicians on their payroll. Avoid the Saudis like plague. Pakistan comes first.

Nobody is forcing us so no need for such strong statement.

 

[ACE OF THE AIR]

Good idea. High time Muslim countries take care of their own problems instead of relying on US or other superpowers.

This would indeed isolate India. Any attack on Pakistan from India would invoke not just China but also these member states.

It is very true that the Muslim Countries should take care of their own interests.

 

[Moonlight]

It is a positive sign to me. This surely shows the world the strength Muslim Umah has together. For sure many cons and pros are knotted to any international affair, but overall this is a good step. Also the North Thunder event is an excellent move to unite many if not all Muslims counties on one page.

 

[Old School]

Nobody is forcing us so no need for such strong statement.

How do you know that no one is forcing us ?

 

[Humble Analyst]

How do you know that no one is forcing us ?

If they are then why we take their money, certainly Iran is not offering any money? Nor it has ever or has it?

 

[Old School]

If they are then why we take their money, certainly Iran is not offering any money? Nor it has ever or has it?

We don't get their money and we don't owe them anything. Corrupt politicians do. Iran is not an issue here to begin with. If there were no country called Iran , it is still a bad idea.

 

[cloud4000]

This would indeed isolate India. Any attack on Pakistan from India would invoke not just China but also these member states.

It is very true that the Muslim Countries should take care of their own interests.

Aside from Pakistan, what other country can challenge India militarily? Besides this alliance is geared more towards Iran than India

It is a positive sign to me. This surely shows the world the strength Muslim Umah has together. For sure many cons and pros are knotted to any international affair, but overall this is a good step. Also the North Thunder event is an excellent move to unite many if not all Muslims counties on one page.

Sunni Muslim countries to be precise.

 

[KN-1]

I will approve this so called nato like alliance if the Arabs send 2 hundred thousand soldiers to guard our Afghanistan border

 

[Mrc]

This is a positive...
and would be mutually beneficial...
but any decision should be unanimously endorsed by national assembly...

And the alliance shud against all agression ...not just iran