ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has not changed its foreign policy and will play intermediary’s role in case of a conflict between the Muslim countries.
During the weekly media briefing at the Foreign Office, Pakistan’s policy was raised about the intra-GCC issues, and the differences emerging between Iran, Saudi Arabia, Syria and Iran based on sectarianism.
The spokesperson clarified that Pakistan does not interfere in bilateral disputes or differences.“Our effort, as part of the OIC and Muslim Ummah, is to help reduce issues and tensions if we can in any way. We do not interfere and we do not take sides”, she said.
The spokesperson pointed out that there was no change in Pakistan’s foreign policy towards its neighbours and with the Muslim countries.“We also clarified our arms export policy. I don’t know what else the Foreign Office should do to make the people understand that this is how it is and how it has been. We have had very close ties with Iran and with the Gulf. There have been questions about intra-GCC issues. We have said that we don’t take sides; this is their internal matter. Similarly, if there are issues between two Muslim countries or more, again we try to play a constructive role.” Pakistan has always been a force for unifying the Muslim world and not a divisive force”, she added.
Pakistan, she stressed, does not interfere in the bilateral relations of other countries but if any issue is raised, effort is always to bring countries together.“We always emphasise that all problems need to be resolved through dialogue and peaceful means”, she said.
Regarding Bahrain’s position on Muslim Brotherhood, the spokesperson said it was their own position.“I won’t like to comment on that or on Saudi Arabia’s position. We have our own independent relationship with Egypt and with other countries. We deal with countries”, she pointed out.
According to the joint statement issued earlier, Pakistan and Bahrain have decided to increase their defence and security cooperation, but this does not include sending members of Pakistani armed forces for operations inside Bahrain.
While a joint statement at the conclusion of the visit of Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa pointed to the increase in defence and security cooperation, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif clarified that Pakistani armed forces would not be sent either to Bahrain or Saudi Arabia as is being claimed in the media.
Bilateral ties in this area were taken a notch up, with the two sides agreeing to hold security dialogue annually at “mutually agreed, appropriate level”.Bilateral cooperation including defence and security cooperation would continue between the two foreign ministries, which would “serve as an umbrella framework for bilateral cooperation”, with the next round to be held in the second half of this year.
While retired Pakistani military personnel have traditionally been welcomed in Bahrain with jobs and citizenship, King Khalifa’s visit to Joint Staff Headquarters created speculations that serving military personnel would be requested for ongoing operations in Bahrain.
Both counties, while exchanging views on regional and international issues of mutual interest including the security situation in West Asia and South Asia, reiterated the importance of peaceful resolution of all issues through dialogue, be they regional or international.
The king acknowledged the contribution of the Pakistani expatriate community towards progress and economic development of Bahrain, with Pakistan hoping that more Pakistanis would be employed in different sectors.
Another area of importance that the joint statement pointed out was the decision to “strengthen sharing of information, intelligence and assessments”.Both sides denounced terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and reaffirmed their desire to strengthen their cooperation in combating terrorism at both the bilateral level and within the multilateral system of the UN.
Seven MoUs were signed including establishment of joint ministerial commission for bilateral cooperation, agreement for the promotion and protection of investment, cooperation between ministries of interior, cooperation in the fields of water and power, cooperation in food security, in particular rice, air services agreement, labour and occupational training and MoU between Economic Development Board of Bahrain and Board of Investment.
The two sides noted the potential for increased mutual investments and agreed to provide a favourable environment for investors from both countries. The two sides agreed for regular and timely exchange of information on available investment opportunities.
Recognising enormous growth potential of Pakistan’s economy, the Bahraini side expressed its readiness to consider investments in Pakistan. The Pakistani side recognised Bahrain as an ideal gateway to the GCC markets.
They also agreed to further broaden and deepen the bilateral engagement in diverse fields of mutual interest. There was agreement on further enhancing high-level political exchanges, cooperation in the fields of economic, trade and investment, defence and security and people-to-people linkages.
The two sides stressed the importance of continuing regular consultations through the existing institutional mechanisms and welcomed the setting up of Pakistan-Bahrain joint ministerial commission.