ISLAMABAD: Alarmed by the media reports coming out of Saudi Arabia, Islamabad has again clarified to Riyadh, and through a high-level delegation, that Pakistan will not send its troops for fighting in Yemen, according to official sources. A report released by the Saudi Press Agency allegedly misquoted a telephonic conversation between the top leadership of two countries triggering speculation in Pakistan, generating resentment in different sections of society. During a telephonic conversation between Prime Minister Sharif and Saudi King Salman, the report appeared late Saturday claiming that the PM “expressed full support for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the Decisive Storm operation, stressing that all potentials of the Pakistani army are offered to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.” The government initially took it lightly treating it only a “media report” quoting unnamed officials but later realisation dawned on the authorities about its possible repercussions since SPA is a state-controlled news agency and will be considered as version of the Saudi government. The ongoing joint Pak-Saudi military exercises were also interpreted in the context of this report forcing the Inter Service Public Relation into issuing clarification that it was a “pre-scheduled” exercise Samsam-5 being held since March 19, not an operation deployment, and that 292 troops were participating in it. Defence minister Khawaja Asif-led delegation accompanied by high-ranking military officials then went to Saudi Arabia to clarify in unequivocal terms that Pakistani forces will not be sent to participate in Decisive Storm operation. The Saudi authorities were conveyed that Pakistan has been facing terrorism at home ground due to the flawed policies of meddling in Afghanistan. However, Islamabad assured Riyadh that Pakistan would not hesitate to dispatch troops if territorial integrity of Saudi Arabia came under threat. An official privy to the ongoing developments said there is consensus between military and civilian leadership that Pakistan is not in a position to make more enemies, especially Yemen, a volatile country with strong presence of al-Qaeda in addition to Houthis. Top military leadership is said to have argued in a recent meeting that Pakistan’s three generations have been affected by terrorism, a reference to the role played in Afghanistan first after the Soviet invasion and then after US-led forces entered to dislodge Taliban and hunt for Osama bin Laden. The Saudi authorities were told that Pakistan being a democracy could not afford to take a decision against a popular will that is averse to the idea of sending troops to Yemen. “If Saudis are our brothers, Yemenis are not enemies either,” said an official explaining that involvement in war on Yemen will not be without dire consequences. Iranian foreign minister is also expected in Islamabad next week whereas PM Nawaz Sharif’s visit to Turkey is also aimed at exploring a joint strategy to cool off tension and resolve the matter through peaceful means. Khawaja Asif though didn’t explain the context of his visit to Saudi Arabia, he told media that Riyadh wants Pakistan’s active role in Yemen war but the government will take final decision in the light of the consensus in Monday’s joint session of Parliament that has been convened on this issue. Major parliamentary parties have urged neutrality in this ongoing conflict with vocal opposition against sending troops coming from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and Awami National Party. We should become peacemakers instead of becoming part of this war, said Imran Khan.
