Pak awaiting details of Saudi-led coalition against terrorism, says Sartaj Aziz

The Government of Pakistan is awaiting details of the Saudi Arabia-led coalition against terrorism, Sartaj Aziz, the Adviser to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Foreign Affairs, told the Senate that Pakistan on Monday, and warned that Islamabad must avoid "complicating the process by prematurely discussing it".

However, Senate Chairman Raza Rabbani reminded Aziz that the matter was being discussed in parliament and not at any other forum.

The Senate also made a note of Aziz not being in position to give satisfactory answers to specific questions on the issue raised by Rabbani and some opposition members, reports the Dawn.

Aziz was quoted, as saying that every country had the right to decide which activity it was going to participate in.

"We are working out... consultations are in progress to work out as to which kind of activities are we going to participate. There is intelligence sharing, capacity-building ... we are yet to decide which activity is desired. We support every action against terrorism," he added.

Aziz further stated that the government is in the know about the coalition a little bit and details would be shared with the house when they become available. He said terrorism was an important issue for the Muslim world and, therefore, they should not pre-judge the matter and allow the process to go on.

Saudi Arabia announced on Tuesday that it had forged the 34-nation alliance of Muslim countries for fighting terrorism and extremism, which included Pakistan.

Senior foreign ministry officials have reportedly expressed surprise over Pakistan's inclusion in the new group, and said Riyadh had not taken Islamabad on board. But subsequent developments revealed that Saudi Arabia had been given a secret commitment regarding joining the alliance, about which the Foreign Office was not aware.