No deal with Saudi Arabia on arming Syrian rebels: Pakistan

Pakistan today said there is no change in its policy on Syria and it did not discuss any plan with Saudi Arabia to arm rebels in the troubled country.
"We strongly reject the media speculation that Pakistan has changed its position on Syria or is supplying arms to Syrian rebels directly or indirectly. These impressions are totally baseless and misleading," Advisor to Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz told the parliament.
Following the recent visit of Saudi Crown Prince to Pakistan, there is a speculation that Pakistan had changed its stance on Syria under Saudi pressure and it is selling arms to Saudi Arabia to be used by the Syrian rebel forces.

Aziz said Pakistan only sells arms through a legal mechanism and by abiding with all relevant national and international regulations which require End User Certification to prevent the buyer from onward sale or transfer of weapons to any third party.
"I would like to clarify that during the Saudi Crown Prince's visit the two sides only mentioned the need to enhance bilateral cooperation in the field of defence with an aim to have a mutually beneficial defence and security cooperation," said the advisor.
He informed the house that Pakistan already have three defence agreements with Saudi Arabia regarding exchange of defence delegations, training programs and employment/ deputation of Pakistani defence personnel in Saudi forces.

Aziz said such allegations are motivated to blemish the country's image. He urged media to act more responsibly in national interest and be refrained from propagating misleading propaganda.
Pakistan has always taken a principled position on the Syrian crisis, Aziz said.
Pakistan supports the international efforts in finding a peaceful Syrian-led and inclusive solution being pursued under the Geneva process and meeting the democratic aspirations of the Syrian people through a comprehensive political dialogue involving the entire spectrum of the Syrian polity, he said.