THIS refers to your editorial ‘A neutral role for Pakistan’ (June 13). This is a timely and sensible advice to the government to remain neutral in the Middle East imbroglio.

Qatar has been targeted and treated harshly by the rest of the Arab world. We Pakistanis can never understand the Arab mind. Let it not be said that our good intentions were misunderstood.

Pakistan wants a peaceful settlement without a war in the Middle East. Gen Raheel Sharif with all good intentions wanted to raise powerful forces to face an invasion by the Islamic State.

If the Saudi government wishes to use the Islamic military alliance for an invasion of another country, then Raheel is the wrong man. As suggested by your editorial: “It is the responsibility of friends to stand by one another in times of crisis. But responsible friends must also be unafraid to speak the principled truth and protect themselves from colossal errors by the other. Withdrawal from the IMA has become essential.”

Wg-Cdr (r) Sardar Ahmed Shah Jan

Peshawar

Published in Dawn, June 21st, 2017