Faheem Al-Hamid Okaz/Saudi Gazette ISLAMABAD — Any aggression on Saudi Arabia will be dealt with strongly and effectively by Pakistan, reiterated Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in an exclusive interview to Okaz/Saudi Gazette here recenty. Welcoming the UN Security Council resolution on Yemen, he said Pakistan will contribute to the implementation of the UN resolution. Excerpts from the interview: Q: Thank you Your Excellency for giving us the opportunity to talk to you at this critical time … I would like to know the outcome of your visit to Saudi Arabia . A: In fact the outcome of this visit was more than excellent. I met Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman. We had a detailed discussion on the Yemen crisis. I expressed my government's total solidarity with Saudi Arabia. As you are well aware, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoy brotherly relations. Our deep-rooted friendship is based on common faith, history and culture. I affirmed to the Saudi leadership that any violation of sovereignty and territorial integrity of Saudi Arabia will evoke a strong response from Pakistan. We will always stand with our Saudi brothers in their hour of need. Pakistan gives top priority to the Kingdom's defense and security and could never stay silent on threats to Saudi Arabia. I'm saying once again that any aggression on Saudi Arabia will be dealt with strongly and effectively. Q: What is the scope of the Saudi-Pakistan partnership developing into strategic cooperation for the cause of peace and stability in the Middle East, Islamic world and the world at large? A: Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoy brotherly relations. Our deep-rooted friendship is based on common faith, history and culture. The people and the government of Pakistan greatly value the holy land of Saudi Arabia, where Harmain Al-Shareefain are also located. Besides excellent political relations at the highest level, we have a high-level of economic, defense and security cooperation between the two countries. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia closely cooperate at international forums like the UN, NAM, G-77, OIC, etc. We work together and support each other on issues of mutual interests. Our historic friendship has turned into a strategic partnership that also facilitates our constructive role in the maintenance of international peace and security. Q: How do you see Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman's role in maintaining peace in the region and world? A: We hold King Salman in high esteem. He is a sagacious leader with a vision for peace, security, stability and prosperity of not only the Muslim Ummah but also the region and beyond. We appreciate the efforts by Saudi Arabia for interfaith harmony and tolerance for other religions that is essential for peace and tranquility in the world. The UN Security Council resolution adopted on April 14, 2015, which provides a framework for early resolution of the crisis in Yemen, was driven by the vision of the Saudi leadership. We are confident that this will be helpful in bringing in an early end to the ongoing difficult situation in Yemen. Q: Saudi Arabia and its Arab and Islamic allies started military operation against the Houthis in Yemen. What is the stand of your government with regard to the halting of the Decisive Storm Operation and the start of the Restoration of Hope Operation, which has among other points to resume dialogue to find solution to the crisis? A: First of all, let's begin by saying that we strongly condemn the violent overthrow of the legitimate government of President (Abdrabbu Mansour) Hadi by the Houthis. We welcome the decision taken to end the Decisive Storm Operation and we support the endeavors for early settlement of the crisis in Yemen. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have a long history of defense and security cooperation. This includes training and deputation of Pakistani defense personnel in the Kingdom. We have affirmed to the leadership of Saudi Arabia that the government of Pakistan would: (a) fully participate and contribute to the implementation of the UN Security Council resolution, and discussed the possibility of expanding Pakistan's cooperation with Saudi Arabia in compatibility with the UN resolution; and (b) enhance its cooperation in view of increasing threats to the region from different terrorist groups. Q: There was a misunderstanding in the Saudi, Gulf and Arab media about the parliament decision with regard to the role of Pakistan in the ongoing crisis in Yemen. However, your policy speech had clarified this misunderstanding. In case Saudi Arabia was attacked, what will be your government's position? A: In fact, there should not have been any misunderstanding had the resolution been read in its correct perspective. Nevertheless, I sent my special envoy to Saudi Arabia on April 15, accompanied by my adviser on National Security and Foreign Affairs, the foreign secretary and the chief of general staff. The visit served the purpose of removing any such misperception and helped reinforce our resolve to strengthen our ties. The Saudi leadership appreciated my statement of April 13 clarifying the resolution adopted by joint session of parliament. As I have said earlier, any violation of sovereignty and territorial integrity of Saudi Arabia will evoke a strong response from Pakistan. We will always stand with our Saudi brothers in their hour of need. Q: Do you find consensus in all sections of Pakistan society in defending Saudi Arabia if attacked? Is the 180 million people ready to defend Haramain Al-Shareefain? A: There is no doubt that the entire nation of Pakistan will be with Saudi Arabia in case of any violation of sovereignty and territorial integrity of Saudi Arabia. This has been unequivocally pronounced in the resolution adopted by the joint session of our parliament, which truly reflects the aspirations of the people of Pakistan. We have declared categorically that the entire Pakistani nation will always stand shoulder to shoulder with our Saudi brothers. Q: Pakistan is a leading Islamic force in the Islamic arena. How could Islamabad and Riyadh work together to find solution to Islamic Ummah's issue and containing crisis in the region? A: We are trying our utmost to play a modest role in bringing an end to the crisis in Yemen at the earliest. We are in regular contact with the leadership in Saudi Arabia on this issue and also working closely with them. Q: The interference of some countries in GCC affairs has led to escalating the tension in the region. What role your country could play in this regard? A: We strongly believe in the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, which enunciate the principles of interstate relations, including non-intervention and non-interference in the internal affairs of other states. Q: With challenges facing your government, what will be your priority in the remaining period of your government in power, economically, apolitically, externally and internally? A: I am confident that despite all the challenges that Pakistan is confronted with, we will be successful. We have robust agenda for socio-economic development in Pakistan, as well as for ensuring energy security of the country. We are fully aware of the internal and external security challenges. Our defense and security forces are well-prepared and ready to counter any threat to peace, security and stability of Pakistan. Q: Has the strategy of the government to deal with the sever energy crisis and load shedding has succeeded, since it was one of the major promises you made to Pakistani nation? A: We are working strenuously to reduce and finally solve energy crisis that exists in Pakistan, which has affected our economic development and lives of people. A number of mega projects are in the pipeline to bolster the existing power generation potential in Pakistan. We are also working with our friends to import gas and electricity for ensuring energy security in Pakistan. There are major projects like CASA-1000, that will provide 1000 MW electricity form Tajikistan through Afghanistan. We are also working on a number of gas pipeline projects. We have plans to import LNG as well. These will help us in mitigating the shortage of natural gas for our industrial and domestic consumption. Q: How do you evaluate the prevailing political and security situation in Pakistan? Has the roadmap for enhancing the security borne fruit in the aftermath of Peshawar massacre? A: We have had a checkered history of democracy in Pakistan. The people of Pakistan have repeatedly demonstrated strong will for stable and democratic Pakistan that should be run by democratically elected representatives and institutions. We have suffered the most from terrorism and have lost more than 50,000 lives and our economy has suffered a loss of over $100 billion. We have firm resolve to eradicate the scourge of extremism and terrorism from our country. The dastardly act of terrorism against innocent children in Peshawar has reinvigorated the national resolve to fight against terrorism with all possible means. The parliament of Pakistan unanimously condemned this act of terrorism and decided to take all possible measures against the terrorists. We are implementing National Action Plan to effectively address this issue. Q: Are you satisfied with Zarb-e-Azb operation? What is the main objective of this operation which focuses on rooting out terrorism in Pakistan? A: We are determined to eradicate terrorism from Pakistan. Operation Zarb-e-Azb is successfully going on in North Waziristan. Our security forces have dismantled 90% of terrorist infrastructure there. They will continue this operation until all terrorists from the area are either captured or killed. We are also cooperating with our friends in the region in countering the threat of terrorism. Q: Historically no prime minister has completed his tenure. How much sure that the PML-N government will complete its tenure? A: As you are aware, I am the leader of a democratic political party and have firm belief in democratic ideals. We worked with the government of Pakistan Peoples Party, which for the first time in the history of Pakistan completed full five-year term before they lost the elections in May 2013. We are confident that democratic forces will work with us to nurture democracy in Pakistan to make it a full grown tree. Q: With regard to relations with India, how do you see the future scope and where the process of dialogue with New Delhi stands at this stage? A: I firmly believed that peace, security and stability in the region is essential for socio-economic development in the country and the region. We are making earnest efforts for friendly relations with all, particularly with our neighbors. I took an exceptional decision to attend the inaugural ceremony of Prime Minister Modi. I sincerely wanted to take the process of friendship with India forward from where it was interrupted during my last tenure. However, our desire for good neighborly relations with India has not been reciprocated. India unilaterally called-off our bilateral dialogue process on a frivolous pretext. The Indian Foreign Secretary visited Pakistan recently as part of his tour of South Asian countries. However, there is no sign of India desiring resumption of dialogue with us. We are ready to engage with India in a constructive dialogue for negotiated settlement of all issues, including the issue of Jammu and Kashmir. Q: With Imran Khan's return to parliament, is this an indication that the sit-in culture which he has adopted is over? A: That was a futile attempt to derail democracy in Pakistan. The people of Pakistan and the parliament of Pakistan outrightly rejected the vicious onslaught on the country's nascent democracy. Q: Kashmir issue is the main cause of escalating the tension between the two countries. How could this issue be solved? A: Yes, of course, Jammu and Kashmir is the core issue between Pakistan and India. Our policy is based on principles that this issue should be solved on the basis of relevant UN resolutions and aspirations of people of Kashmir. This is essential for the normalization of relations between India and Pakistan.
