Military spokesman Major-General Asif Ghafoor has declared that Pakistan will not allow its soil to be used against anyone.
Quoting Prime Minister Imran Khan and Chief of Army Staff General (COAS) Qamar Javed Bajwa, Ghafoor told ARY News channel: “We will not allow our soil to be used against anyone.”
“Pakistan will not be party to anyone or anything, but will be a partner of peace, and peace alone,” he said, quoting the prime minister.
The director-general of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), in reply to a question regarding the killing of Iran’s Major-General Qasem Soleimani in a US strike on Friday, said that the regional situation had been altered and Pakistan would play its role in helping peace prevail.
Soleimani was killed on Friday morning in a US strike on Baghdad’s international airport, in a dramatic escalation of tensions between the two countries.
Shortly after, General Bajwa in a call with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had emphasised the “need for maximum restraint and constructive engagement”.
Discussing the phone call between the army chief and Pompeo, Ghafoor said that Bajwa had said two things.
“Firstly, he said that the region was improving from very bad conditions, adding that the Afghan reconciliation process is very important for this improvement.
“He added that Pakistan would play its role in this and wants the focus to remain on the issue.
“Secondly, the army chief had told Pompeo that tensions in the region should be reduced.
“He said all relevant countries should move forward with constructive practices and dialogue.
“Pakistan will support all peaceful efforts and hopes the region doesn’t go towards another war,” Ghafoor quoted the army chief as saying.
Responding to a question regarding rumours that Pakistan would participate in the war by supporting the United States against Iran, Ghafoor said that these were just rumours circulating on social media.
He clarified, however, that this was not the first call [between Pompeo and Bajwa].
“From the Afghan reconciliation process to the regional security, the army chief has an important role,” he said, adding that the Foreign Office had also issued a statement.
The Foreign Office via a statement had also expressed “deep concern” over the tensions, urging all sides to exercise restraint.
“My request to the people and media would be to only pay attention to statements from an authentic source,” Ghafoor said, adding that they should ignore “propaganda” and “rumours of enemies of the country”.
“India is playing the lead role in spreading these rumours,” he said, adding that he had read an Indian news article claiming that Pakistan had ditched Iran, linking this to the resumption of Pakistan’s participation in a US military training and educational programme.
“In our bilateral relations with America, training co-operation was suspended. For the past four to five months, America has been talking about restoring this because training engagement in military to military co-operation goes on.
“Linking something that has been going on for quite a few months to this incident is part of that propaganda campaign,” Ghafoor said.
The army’s spokesman said that peace had been achieved in Pakistan after a lot of sacrifices, adding that the nation will play its role for peace in the region.
“We will not be part of any effort to ruin this peace,” he said.
Major-General Ghafoor: My request to the people and media would be to only pay attention to statements from an authentic source.
