DG ISPR: Pakistan wants Iran and Saudi Arabia to become friends

The chief of Pakistan Army’s media wing, Major General Asif Ghafoor has said that Pakistan enjoys cordial relations with both Saudi Arabia and Iran and assured that Raheel Sharif’s appointment would serve as a bridge between Saudi Arabia and Iran, and Pakistani authorities are speaking to Iran at all levels to allay any fears.

He said Pakistan values friendship with Iran and Saudi Arabia and wants both countries to become friends too. He added the new coalition would not do anything jeopardising relations between the two Islamic countries. Pakistan attaches value to relations with both Iran and Saudi Arabia, and General (retd) Raheel Sharif’s appointment as head of the Saudi-led military coalition will help remove confusions. he said the decision taken by Pakistan to allow Raheel Sharif to head the Saudi-led military alliance has been taken in the national interest aimed at bringing various countries closer rather than encouraging friction and hostility.

Maj Gen Ghafoor, Director General of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), was briefing the Pakistani media at the Pakistan High Commission here on General Qamar Javed Bajwa’s official visit to the UK. He was accompanied by Pakistan High Commissioner Syed Ibne Abbas.

Answering a question, Maj Gen Ghafoor said that more than 16 months ago, the Saudi government had approached Pakistan about the Saudi-led alliance while Raheel Sharif was still the army chief.

The ISPR chief said the capability of terrorists has been dented to such an extent that they are just reduced to carrying out small-scale, cowardly attacks using explosives. He said the armed forces and intelligence services are focused on eliminating sleeper cells as well as handlers and facilitators of terrorism and extremism.

He said that as part of the Operation Raddul Fassad, authorities are pursuing madrassa reforms to deal with the core issues of extremism and radicalism. He said certain hotspots of extremism have been identified, and a strategy is in place to deal with the issues through reforms that are long-term and durable.

He said that madrassa reforms are essential for the future of millions of children studying at these places. He added madrassas have an important role in the Pakistani society as they render valuable service by providing religious education as well as lodging and boarding facilities to millions of children.

Answering another question, Maj Gen Ghafoor said that issues of extremism and corruption can effectively be dealt with through structural judicial and police reforms, and Pakistani institutions are working together for these reforms.

DG ISPR: Pakistan wants Iran and Saudi Arabia to become friends

Pakistan wants good ties with Saudi Arabia, Iran: DG ISPR

The chief of Pakistan Army’s media wing, Major General Asif Ghafoor has said that Pakistan attaches value to relations with both Iran and Saudi Arabia, and General (retd) Raheel Sharif’s appointment as head of the Saudi-led military coalition will help remove confusions.

Maj Gen Ghafoor, Director General of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), was briefing the Pakistani media at the Pakistan High Commission here on General Qamar Javed Bajwa’s official visit to the UK. He was accompanied by Pakistan High Commissioner Syed Ibne Abbas.

Answering a question, Maj Gen Ghafoor said that more than 16 months ago, the Saudi government had approached Pakistan about the Saudi-led alliance while Raheel Sharif was still the army chief.

He said Pakistan enjoys cordial relations with both Saudi Arabia and Iran, and the decision taken by Pakistan to allow Raheel Sharif to head the Saudi-led military alliance has been taken in the national interest aimed at bringing various countries closer rather than encouraging friction and hostility.

He assured that Raheel Sharif’s appointment would serve as a bridge between Saudi Arabia and Iran, and Pakistani authorities are speaking to Iran at all levels to allay any fears. He said Pakistan values friendship with Iran and Saudi Arabia and wants both countries to become friends too. He added the new coalition would not do anything jeopardising relations between the two Islamic countries.

The ISPR chief said the capability of terrorists has been dented to such an extent that they are just reduced to carrying out small-scale, cowardly attacks using explosives. He said the armed forces and intelligence services are focused on eliminating sleeper cells as well as handlers and facilitators of terrorism and extremism.

He said that as part of the Operation Raddul Fassad, authorities are pursuing madrassa reforms to deal with the core issues of extremism and radicalism. He said certain hotspots of extremism have been identified, and a strategy is in place to deal with the issues through reforms that are long-term and durable.

He said that madrassa reforms are essential for the future of millions of children studying at these places. He added madrassas have an important role in the Pakistani society as they render valuable service by providing religious education as well as lodging and boarding facilities to millions of children.

Answering another question, Maj Gen Ghafoor said that issues of extremism and corruption can effectively be dealt with through structural judicial and police reforms, and Pakistani institutions are working together for these reforms.