ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Pakistan on Thursday confirmed joining the Saudi Arabia’s 34-nation coalition against terrorism, however it said the extent of participation in counter-terrorism activities was yet to be decided.
“Yes, we are part of it [coalition]. We have decided, and we welcome it,” the Foreign Office Spokesman Qazi Khalilullah said at his weekly media briefing in Islamabad on Thursday in response to a question whether Pakistan was part of the alliance announced by Saudi Arabia against terrorism.
“We are participating in this alliance against terrorism. The only thing that needs to be decided is the extent of our participation in various activities of the alliance,” Qazi Khalilullah said.
On Wednesday, Qazi Khalilullah said that Pakistan welcomes the formation of the 34-nation Saudi Arabia-led alliance against terrorism and said it was awaiting further details to decide the extent of its participation in different activities of the alliance.
The spokesman said that Pakistan has consistently supported all regional and international efforts to combat militancy, extremism and terrorism and, to this end, has extended full support and cooperation to international community.
Earlier late Monday, the Saudi Deputy Crown Prince and Defense Minister Muhammad bin Salman told a news conference that 34 nations including Pakistan have formally agreed to form an “Islamic military coalition” to fight terrorism, said.
The Saudi Deputy Crown Prince said that the alliance will set up a joint operations Centre based in Riyadh. He said that the Centre will “coordinate and support military operations to fight terrorism” across the Muslim world.
Also read: 34-nation Islamic alliance formed to fight terrorism: Saudi Arab
Source: APP/DND
