Pakistan won't send arms to Syria: Sartaj Aziz

Dawn.com Published March 17, 2014

iSLAMABAD: Adviser to Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz informed the Senate's foreign affairs committee on Monday that Saudi Arabia had gifted USD 1.5 billion to Pakistan and added that the country would not send arms to Syria or to any other country undergoing a civil war, DawnNews reported.

Addressing a meeting of the Senate's standing committee on foreign affairs in the federal capital, Aziz said the donation of 1.5 billion dollars by Saudi Arabia was a “gift for the people of Pakistan which was deposited in the Friends of Pakistan fund.

Aziz was further quoted as saying that Pakistan would not send weapons to Syria or to any other country going through civil unrest.

While giving details of the Saudi sum received by Pakistan, the adviser said "the grant given by Saudi Arabia is unconditional and in return Pakistan is not supposed to give anything to the kingdom".

Aziz also confirmed the purchase of weapons by Saudi Arabia, however, he added that the kingdom would not use these weapons against any other state.

He further said Pakistan had to balance its relations with both Iran and Saudi Arabia adding that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif would soon visit Iran for which dates are being worked out by both governments.

The adviser also said Pakistan had not changed its foreign policy due to foreign funding.

The committee was also briefed by Foreign secretary on the state of overseas Pakistanis in Jeddah and steps being taken for Pakistan consulate in Jeddah for the welfare of these Pakistanis.

Moreover, committee-member Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed of the Pakistan Muslim league - Quaid (PML-Q moved a resolution condemning the incidents of terrorism in China and also expressed solidarity with the neighbouring country.

Speculation had been rife in Pakistan following a sharp recovery of the Pakistani rupee value, which rose to a nine-month high of 97.40 from 105.40 against the dollar between March 4 and 12, its strongest rally in 30 years.

Reuters later reported that the climb in the rupee's value was a result of Saudi Arabia's $1.5 billion "loan" to Pakistan last month which helped Islamabad shore up its foreign exchange reserves, meet debt-service obligations and undertake large energy and infrastructure projects.

Some sections of society were talking about the aid being granted to Pakistan as a reward for the country's u-turn in its foreign policy over the Syria issue.

Clarifying the ‘rumours’ regarding the status of the donation, Federal Minister for Finance Ishaq Dar said on March 15 that the amount was neither a loan nor was it given in return for any services.

The amount should be accepted with thanks and not be made controversial, he added.

— Mateen Haider contributed to the reporting of this story

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Afg

Mar 17, 2014 04:10pm

Always telling lie to the nation, who will trust you, politicians any more. Your denial position at every national issue costed Pakistan too much in the past. You have to pay back for 1.5 billion bucks you got from SA in the form of proxy war in Syria but you did not learn from the past, playing the same game in the backyard, Afghanistan.

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khanm

Mar 17, 2014 04:16pm

The smile tells it otherwise

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munir

Mar 17, 2014 04:28pm

>>>Adviser to Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz informed the Senate's foreign affairs committee on Monday that Saudi Arabia had gifted USD 1.5 billion to Pakistan and added that the country would not send arms to Syria or to any other country undergoing a civil war But sending it to Jordan or any other intermediate could be an option?

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Bannu wala

Mar 17, 2014 04:33pm

With all due respects,..nobody believes this. Arms can be sent in so many devious ways. This country has a long association with Jordanian Air Force. Starting with training their pilots, in the 60's. So, a C130 flying ever so innocently, can deliver arms. By the pallets.

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Blister

Mar 17, 2014 04:34pm

Saudis are businessmen. They never gift anything. MNS you think people are idiots? (Well ! we are actually since we keep on electing the same bunch again and again). Nothing in this world is free. Maybe you didn't have to pay personally but it will be the generations of Pakistanis who are an will keep on paying the interest on the activities of the rulers. Just because the government says they are not giving arms I am sure that is exactly what they end up doing by non-government routes.

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Seedoo

Mar 17, 2014 05:25pm

Mr Sartaj Aziz, Whose intelligence are you trying to insult?

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SYEDA SARA BATOOL

Mar 17, 2014 05:37pm

pakistan,s foreign policy is for sale....50 percent off

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Abdul Malik

Mar 17, 2014 05:44pm

First it was Dar and now this man is also indulging in blatant lie. These cronies really believe that we are a nation of stupid fools. Who gives $ 1.5 billion for nothing in return?

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gangadin

Mar 17, 2014 05:49pm

When these people come out and make statements like this, what leverage does Pakistan have?

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@expat

Mar 17, 2014 06:23pm

This Lucky Lahori circus will finally sink Pakistan.Change policy now and welcome Iran and Russia as new enemies.

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nasir jaffri

Mar 17, 2014 06:51pm

Dont believe a word of it! How are we going to monitor the arms which we are supplying the Saudis? Poor public duped again!!!

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PakistanRocks

Mar 17, 2014 06:59pm

Yeah you are right. Pakistan would not send arms directly to Syria or any other country undergoing civil war, will have to work out another way. They will come back to you again with alternate route, please wait for further instructions!

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Kardar

Mar 17, 2014 07:18pm

Mr. Aziz, Saudi's are not that friendly to offer free lunches. They have lost diplomatically in ME. Now they have a runtier state in hands.

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imran

Mar 17, 2014 07:30pm

Having worked with Arabs, i know their nature. They respect, will give you generously at times but they will always ask for favour in return. In this case the favour asked by them is obvious. So wait and see what will come to haunt us from the Iranian borders this time.

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A Pakistani

Mar 17, 2014 07:30pm

Sir, Sartaj Aziz thinks that the people at large are buffoons like Ishaq Dar to believe his fake story. At this age when no one gives a glass of water for free and he is saying that the most autocratic regime in the world who does not give basic rights to its own citizens has given away $ 1.5 Billion Pakistan for free??? Common own up and tell the truth that you guys have sold the sovereignty of Pakistan once again to your pay masters. Regards, A Pakistani

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jamshed khan

Mar 17, 2014 07:50pm

I really hope we won't send arms to Syria and not play any part in the suffering of the Syrian people by supporting terrorists and thugs, considering we have some many of our own problems. I really hope strings are not pulled by the Saudis. This hope may just be a dream though. Sharifs were protected by the Saudi's for this day and now the a big check in the baggers 'kushkol'.

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shah

Mar 17, 2014 08:12pm

But you cannot refuse sending them to saudia... and then it upto saudia what they do with them.

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Makael

Mar 17, 2014 08:14pm

What is wrong in sending weapons to the people of Syria. They have been massacred by the joint forces of Bashar, Hizbullah and Iran. The atrocities committed against them are beyond human comprehension. I say kudos to Pakistan for helping them. If only our internal and economic situation was not in shambles, we should have helped our fellow Muslims without the Saudi money.

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shazada Zalhid-Loan

Mar 17, 2014 08:58pm

@Makael: I totally agree with you Makael. The other ill informed idiots think we live in isolation - we need to intervene in Syria to show the world our strength of seriousness as a nuclear power and as a Muslim super power.

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Shahpur

Mar 17, 2014 09:00pm

Pakistan is the only Islamic Country with a BOMB. And BOMBS are not easy to get these days. If Pakistan plays as Matured, Honest and Dignified role, as a Proud Nation, it will be recognized as some kind of force, but if Pakistan got involved in the "Survival Game of Saudis", Pakistan will loose.

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Mar 17, 2014 09:04pm

Unbelievable. You think the people of this country are so gullible ? Well, you are wrong! Gone are the times when you will tell people what you want and make them believe. Saudi Arab sells Oil to Pakistan on loan/ late payment basis - It is unbelievable that they would not write of a million dollar in Oil debt, but simply give away $1.5 BILLION dollars !! You may think the people are stupid, but this time the joke is on you Sir!

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Mar 17, 2014 09:05pm

Last week there was a denial that the Saudis didn't give this money. Then some Einstein said the donor wished to remain anonymous. And now this 'Free money' bombshell from the government. Stay tuned for the real truth next week.

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Shahpur

Mar 17, 2014 09:07pm

@munir: Of Course, the Rebels are already exercising, in JORDAN, and this is a well known fact. All arms are going to Jordan. Things are not looking good for Saudis. Saudis are worried and could be next.

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Shahpur

Mar 17, 2014 09:15pm

@SYEDA SARA BATOOL: Thanks to this age of Media that we feel something is wrong. Now the next questions is what we can do about it. This is something to think about.

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Nakvee

Mar 17, 2014 10:41pm

Saudi Arabia is the sponsor of terrorism in the whole world, Pakistan should stay away from this poisonous snake we don

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Fiz

Mar 17, 2014 11:44pm

No, Mr. Minister. They will send jihadis to fight other peoples dirty war.

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Hayder

Mar 17, 2014 11:50pm

@Makael: Hizbullah entered last year where this 3 year old conflict has foreign religious fighters ranging from 10-15 different countries. So how exactly is this even a Syrian revolution? There is plenty of evidence showing these people dont have any respect for civilians so why trust them with advanced weapons. I really dont get why the bleeding hearts dont support muslims of Gaza instead and not with words but actual backing. This is where the hypocrisy shows its real face.

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ali

Mar 17, 2014 11:51pm

how about stopping pakistani shia terrorist from going to syria courtesy of Khmoenite State of Iran

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khan bacha

Mar 18, 2014 12:17am

saudi previously during wars has given free oil to pakistan ...its the only country which helps pakistan in difficult times...but for last few years they did not give much importance to pakistan bcoz of zardari ...they dont like him

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Zak

Mar 18, 2014 01:18am

By the way the Syrian army is winning, so better not send arms and be on wrong side.

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Hatim Shah

Mar 18, 2014 02:14am

Does anyone believe this fellow

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Pro Pakistan

Mar 18, 2014 03:00am

@Makael: The reason why our internal situation is in shambles is because we helped another Muslim country 30 years ago, and still paying the cost for that.

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MJK

Mar 18, 2014 05:51am

$1.5 billion gift from Saudi Royals - They have recently gifted Egyptian army lot more than $ 1.5 billion just to suppress Muslim Brotherhood, an anti Saudi party of Egypt. Nothing is free, Pakistan will return favour in one form or the other. Why have so many Saudii dignitaries visited Pakistan ,and why did Pak Army chief spend 3 days in Saudi Arabia ?

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Alan

Mar 18, 2014 07:50am

If your govt is desperate to be part of any dirty work that this price 1.5 bn dollar might not be enough. Please charge 15 billion US$ so you can serve the people of 180 million properly. By desperate I mean "Oh that's what we are here to do ! By orders of the Majesty Queen etc"

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Omar

Mar 19, 2014 05:54pm

@imran: get ready for more intense baloch insurgency. Thanks PML(N)!

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zaf

Mar 19, 2014 08:36pm

Sartaj Aziz must be thinking that Pakistani nation has no common sense. You don't send arms directly to Syrian rebels, you indirectly ship arms via Saudi Arabia & Jordan.

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mjk

Mar 19, 2014 08:40pm

Saudis have already made the down payment on arms deal. $1.5 billion 'gift'

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