ISLAMABAD – Federal Minister for Defence Khurram Dastgir said on Fridaythat the deployed army contingents in Saudi Arabia will not be used againstany country.

Talking to Kamran Khan in current affairs’ talk show “Dunya Kamran Khan KaySath”, Dastgir highlighted that it is the responsibility of Pakistani stateto defend Saudi Arabia as an ally. He said Pakistan will play its role forthe internal stability of the gulf nation.

“Defending (Saudi Arabia) is also our responsibility but our army will notbe used against any country,” he responded when Khan asked whether thearmed forces will participate in the military action against Yemen rebels.————————————————————

Dastgir lauded the efforts of Pakistan Army is fighting the war againstterrorism. He admitted that the talks about sending army troops to SaudiArabia had continued for last several months.

He told, “Almost one thousand Pakistani troops have been sent to SaudiArabia to train their army.”

He maintained that the Pakistan Army will only participate in trainingSaudi armed forces. Dastgir assured that they fully abide by theparliament’s resolution.

When asked about his summon in Senate, he said he will appear before theSenators and answer to all concerns.

On Thursday, ISPR said, “In continuation of ongoing Pak-KSA bilateralsecurity cooperation, a Pakistan Army contingent is being sent to KSA ontraining and advice mission.”

The media cell of Pakistan Army added that “troops already there will notbe employed outside KSA. Pak Army maintains bilateral security cooperationwith many other GCC / regional countries”.

Speaking on the matter, Senator Farhatullah Babar commented that it was amatter of bypassing the authority of parliament. He requested the chairmanto discuss this matter in the parliament.