Pakistan: Cannot recall General Raheel Sharif from Saudi Arabia

According to Pakistani media, Sartaj Aziz made the remarks while briefing the Senate standing committee on foreign affairs regarding the ongoing diplomatic rift in the Middle East.

Aziz told the committee that General Raheel Sharif was not sent by the government to lead the alliance and therefore, cannot be asked to return by the government.

However, Committee Chairperson Nuzhat Sadiq while talking to IRNA declined to make any comment on the media reports, saying that it was an in-camera session and she was bound not to reveal details of the meeting in the media.

She added that Pakistan enjoys strong relations with Iran, Qatar and Saudi Arabia and wants to continue with that.

Many politicians and parliamentarians are openly criticizing Raheel Sharif’s appointment as head of the Saudi-led alliance and say that if he wants to fight against terrorism it would be better for him to stay in the country and use his experience to serve the nation.

Reports say that Sartaj Aziz during the meeting added that the resolution adopted by Pakistan for not interfering in the Yemen conflict will serve as the foundation for the role Pakistan will adopt in the current Middle East crisis.

The parliament in 2015 adopted a unanimous resolution proposing that Pakistan should maintain neutrality in the conflict so as to be able to play a proactive diplomatic role to end the crisis.

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