Pakistan resisted Saudi offer to join military alliance: NSA

ISLAMABAD: National Security Adviser, Nasser Janjua on Friday said that initially Pakistan resisted joining Islamic Military Alliance but did so on Saudi Arabia’s insistence.

Talking to Geo News, the NSA said they also refused Pakistan's offer for any other military officer other than Raheel Sharif.

‘We are well aware of the game being played by the world powers by exploiting sectarian differences among the Muslims.’

Reiterating that Pakistan would remain neutral in this, Janjua said Raheel Sharif too was aware of the fact and will play his role to solve these matters politically.

Tehran also had conveyed concerns on the formation of Saudi-led alliance. Iranian Ambassador, Mehdi Honardoost earlier this week said that it was correct that we were informed before the NOC was issued to Gen Raheel, but it did not indicate that Iran was satisfied with this decision or it had accepted the same.

While speaking at a conference in Islamabad, the NSA dispelled the perception that Pakistan played double game in Afghanistan.

Pakistan has fought for the survival of Afghanistan, he said, adding that we fought against the Afghan Taliban and as a result, they created the Pakistani Taliban.

While fighting on the frontlines for world peace, Pakistan has paid huge sacrifices over the last four decades, the NSA stressed.

The border between Pakistan and Afghanistan is very porous with many illegal crossing points, which militants use to enter Pakistan, Janjua said, adding that there are many villages that sit divided between the two countries.