Pakistan's bad reputation far from reality: NSA Janjua

Pakistan's National Security Advisor Nasir Janjua on Friday denied that Pakistan was a dangerous country and at the "centre of global terrorism", and said the perception being created was far from reality.

"The world thinks we are interfering in Afghanistan... (that) our economy is damaged... (that) we are playing a double-game regarding the Taliban... Pakistan's nuclear assets are not protected," that is the perception about Pakistan, Janjua said, adding "but the true picture was not being presented adequately before the world".

The former army-man said it was "unfortunate" that allegations had been hurled against Pakistan without ascertaining the facts.

Janjua also said Pakistan has fought for Afghanistan's existence. "We have been confronting difficulties (vis-a-vis) for the past 40 years."

Speaking about the appointment of former army chief General Raheel Sharif as the head of a Saudi-led military alliance, Janjua said Sharif is "not going to lead a Sunni alliance", but a Muslim alliance being dubbed as "Muslim Nato".

Noting that Saudi Arabia had chosen the countries for the military alliance, Janjua said that Gen Sharif is nonetheless an equal friend of Iran and will not act against its interests.

--IANS

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