ISLAMABAD, Jan 6 (NNN-APP) – Pakistani army said, the country will remain neutral, in the current conflict between the United States and Iran, after a U.S. airstrike killed an Iranian commander in Iraq.
Pakistan’s military spokesman, Major General Asif Ghafoor said, Pakistan will not become part of any action that undermines regional stability.
Comments from Ghafoor, director general of Pakistani army’s media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations, came, after U.S. Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, spoke to Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, General Qamar Javed Bajwa by telephone and discussed regional situation, including possible implications of recent escalation.
Bajwa emphasised the need for “maximum restraint and constructive engagement by all concerned to deescalate” the situation, in broader interest of peace and stability, according to the army.
When asked about speculations after the Bajwa-Pompeo talks that Pakistan could side with the United States against Iran, Ghafoor dismissed all reports as false, and said, the U.S. leaders routinely contact the army chief on matters related to regional peace.
“I appeal to the media and the people not to pay any attention to the propaganda by inimical forces,” the spokesman said, adding, Pakistan considers any escalations in the region as against regional peace.
“The army chief told Pompeo that the region is heading towards stability from the worst situation, and the success of the Afghan peace process is a must for regional stability and Pakistan is playing its positive role in this regard. Pakistan wants focus on peaceful solution and we should avoid any move which can harm the Afghan peace process,” Ghafoor said.
