Saudi defence minister to visit Islamabad tomorrow

[Albatross]

ISLAMABAD: Saudi Arabia’s deputy crown prince and defence minister, Mohammed bin Salman, is arriving in Islamabad on Sunday to discuss Pakistan’s cooperation in the 34-nation coalition of Islamic countries the Kingdom has recently formed to ostensibly fight terrorism and extremism.
His visit comes just four days after Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Adel al Jubeir travelled to Islamabad and held wide ranging talks with Pakistan’s civil and military leaders, including Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and army chief General Raheel Sharif.

Protest against Pakistan’s role in Saudi-led military coalition

A government official told The Express Tribune that the Saudi defence minister is coming to discuss the ‘finer details’ of the coalition. He is expected to meet his Pakistani counterpart along with the army chief and the prime minister.

“We welcome the Saudi initiative in line with our policy to support all regional and international efforts to counter terrorism and extremism,” the official added.

The official made it clear that Pakistan will not become part of any action that will be against any specific country. “We support a political solution to the Syrian problem without interference from the outside,” the official maintained.

Pakistan welcomes Saudi ‘anti-terror’ coalition

Asked whether Pakistan would spare troops for the coalition, the official said details were being worked out. However, Pakistan’s role would remain restricted to intelligence sharing, counter-terrorism training and other activities in the coalition, the official said.

Saudi defence minister to visit Islamabad tomorrow - The Express Tribune


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[Albatross]

Right after foreign minister this defence minister visit shows Saudis wants our help badly and on variety of issues.

Well I personally feel if its about selling some defence equipment or training their soldiers its ok but there shouldn't be any boots on grounds from Pak side except a few hundreds to man and train their men inside War control rooms only.

Pakistan should allow boots on ground only when we are given the head chair of this coalition so that we can decide what to do and when to do and utilize the resources of coalition as required .

We cant trust Saudis with planning and execution of any sensitive operation putting lives of our men at risks especially after the poor performance in Yemen.

Also our leadership should have guarantees that this coalition will help us with all its might if a need arises against India in near or far future.