Pakistan to remain neutral in US-Iran tension: Pakistani army

ISLAMABAD, Jan 6, 2020, Pakistan Today. As tensions between the United States and neighbouring Iran touch all-time high in the aftermath of the assassination of a top Iranian general, Pakistan Army spokesperson Major General Asif Ghafoor said that Pakistan supported peace overtures in the region and wouldn’t take part in anyone else’s war, Pakistan Today reported.

Speaking to a local media outlet, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) director general said the country will not become part of any process that will disturb the peace as it “desires regional peace but it will not compromise on its national security”.

The statement followed the killing of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani. Soleimani, the architect of Tehran’s overseas clandestine and military operations as head of the Revolutionary Guards Quds Force, was killed on Friday in a US drone strike on his convoy at Baghdad airport.

Maj Gen Ghafoor said the aforementioned sentiments had been expressed by both the Prime Minister Imran Khan and Chief of Army Staff General (COAS) Qamar Javed Bajwa. “Pakistan will not be a party to anyone or anything but will be a partner of peace and peace alone,” he said, quoting Prime Minister Imran.

General Ghafoor said the regional scenario changed after the killing of the general; however, Pakistan will not become part of any process that disturbs the regional peace.

“In this scenario, Prime Minister [Imran Khan] and the Army Chief [General Qamar Javed Bajwa] has adopted a very clear stance that Pakistan will not allow its soil to be used against anyone and play its strong role for regional peace,” said Ghafoor.

He said US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had held discussions with Gen Bajwa on two points in the telephonic conversation on January 3. According to Ghafoor, the COAS had urged the US to de-escalate tensions between the countries in the region so that another regional conflict could be averted.

“The army chief had also told Pompeo to avoid such steps which could interrupt the Afghanistan reconciliation process, he said, adding the army chief was contacted as he has played an important role in bringing improvements to the regional situation.

Commenting over rumours being spread on the social media platforms, Asif Ghafoor urged the nationals and media houses to accept the national stances which came from the reliable sources.

About the US military training programme, he clarified the US government talked to Pakistan for the resumption of the military training programme which was suspended for the last four to five months.

The army spokesperson added that it was the part of propaganda against Pakistan for linking the ongoing talks with the recent developments in the Middle East.

“Pakistan has adopted all steps that promoted peace and also plays a major role in the Afghanistan reconciliation process,” he added.

However, India, on the other hand, has played the role of an aggressor, said Gen Ghafoor while alluding to Pulwama incident.

“I have heard the statements of the Indian army chief. He is the newly appointed army chief and busy in making his place right now. He is completely aware of the regional situation and [the capabilities] Pakistani forces. Our forces knew well how to defend our country and India is well-aware about it too. We will not make any compromises on national security,” he said, responding to the statement of the Indian army chief.

“Indian army chief must stop continuing atrocities in occupied Kashmir instead of threatening us. We will play our role efficiently for the establishment of peace in the region under the government’s policies and the nation’s support.”