Pakistan has joined Saudi military alliance: FO

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Office spokesperson Nafees Zakaria on Thursday said that Pakistan has joined the Saudi-led Islamic Military Alliance and this development has taken place after agreement on ‘Terms of Reference’.

The spokesperson said he has no knowledge of contacts between Saudi government and former army chief Raheel Sharif, who has been appointed the commander of force.

On Pak-Afghan relations, he said both countries have to rely on institutional and cooperative mechanism for combating cross-border terrorism.

He said, “We are availing all opportunities to engage with each other for addressing the issues of concern.”

He, however, said, there is a need for effective border management between Pakistan and Afghanistan to combat the common threat of terrorism, which affects the people of both the countries.

The spokesperson said Pakistan strongly condemns the killing of innocent and defenseless Kashmiris in Indian Occupied Kashmir (IoK). He said, “We call upon India to stop bloodshed and the ongoing brutalities in IoK.”

Replying to a question, he said, Pakistan continues to suffer from Indian sponsored and financed terrorism, adding that for this purpose, India is also using the Afghan soil against Pakistan.

Nafees Zakaria said that within India, the religious minorities are maltreated due to rise in Hindu extremism, adding that Indian government has closed down the non-vegetarian shops. He said that international community should take notice of the prosecution of minority groups in India.

The spokesperson also urged the international community to take notice of the human rights violation in the Occupied Kashmir.

He said that the Kashmiris should be given the rights to self-determination according to the charter of the United Nation Security Council resolutions.

Replying to another question, the spokesperson said the China’s interests in Pakistan is on sustainable development. He said that China is one of the oldest and time-tested friends of Pakistan, adding that China-Pakistan Economic Corridor would bring positive change in the entire region.

Commenting on reports that a lawmaker from ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has demanded ‘Jinnah House’ in Mumbai be demolished, he said Indian government has been informed of the concerns Pakistan has on the matter.

Indian government needs to respect the "importance" the house holds for Pakistan, he added.