Decision of sending troops to Saudi Arabia not taken yet: Khawaja Asif
Foreign news agency claimed that Pakistan has decided to send troops but Defence Minister denied
ISLAMABAD: (Dunya News) – Federal Minister of Defence Khawaja Muhammad Asif has on Monday denied the story by foreign news agency that the Pakistan has decided to send its troops in Saudi Arabia for coping with the situation in Yemen. Foreign agency has claimed in its news story, quoting Pakistan government sources, that Pakistan has decided to send its troops to confront Yemeni rebels, Dunya News reported.
According to the foreign news agency, Pakistani officials said that the Saudi government has already been offered facilities and support by Pakistan while Pakistan army will soon become part of the Saudi-led alliance. It was claimed in the news story that around 800 non-combatant Pakistani troops were already present in Saudi Arabia.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and Advisor to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz will visit Saudi Arabia on Tuesday while military leaders will also accompany them in the delegation.
On the other hand, Khawaja Asif strongly denied the news saying that Pakistan has not yet decided to send troops in Saudi Arabia. However, if Saudi sovereignty was challenged, Pakistan’s assets would be at their behest. He confirmed that Pakistani delegation will go to Saudi Arabia for a 1-day visit on Tuesday.
