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No troops being sent to Saudi, Bahrain: Sharif

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Thursday denied speculations that Pakistan was sending its troops to Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.

Responding to questions posed by media representatives after a ceremony at the M.M. Alam Airbase in Mianwali, the premier said that Pakistan was not sending its forces to either of these countries and neither had it been approached to do so.

Sharif said that the government was not considering any proposal to send Pakistani troops abroad.

The prime minister’s statement came after rumours that dignitaries from Saudi Arabia and Bahrain during their recent visits to Pakistan have requested for troops for possible assistance to rebels in Syria.

“There is no such request before our consideration,” the prime minister told reporters categorically. The prime minister said that no country has requested Pakistan to send its forces nor Pakistan will send its forces to any other country.

He said the visit of Bahrain’s King is in the interest of Pakistan, adding that the recent visit of the Saudi crown prince showed that Pakistan’s foreign policy was moving in the right direction.

He hoped that these visits would go a long way in further strengthening Pakistan’s ties with Muslim countries.

The prime minister said the country was facing serious challenges, adding that the government was working round-the-clock to resolve these issues. “We don’t have even a single minute to waste,” he added.

Sharif praised the high standard and professionalism of Pakistan Air Force, adding the government is aware of the PAF’s needs and requirements. He said the Bahrain king’s visit to Pakistan was beneficial to the country and should be viewed as such, adding that the country was faced with multiple challenges and timely decisions needed to be made.

The prime minister said that Pakistan Air Force is fully capable of defending Pakistan’s territory.

Sharif said the government is striving to make the country a progressive and developed state which could meet the requirements of modern era. He said the government was committed to turning the country into a real progressive and welfare state.

news@khaleejtimes.com

(With inputs from Online)