Key Takeaways
- ISPR Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry says Pakistan is acting as a neutral mediator.
- Pakistan has condemned both Israeli attacks on Iran and Iran’s retaliatory actions in the Gulf.
- Lt Gen Chaudhry emphasizes Pakistan’s commitment to a peaceful resolution of the conflict.
Pakistan's Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General, Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, has stated that the country is acting as an 'honest broker' in the ongoing US-Iran conflict, reiterating its commitment to a negotiated and peaceful outcome.
In an interview with CNN correspondent Ivan Watson, Lt Gen Chaudhry was asked about Pakistan's ability to remain neutral, given Iran's past actions against Saudi Arabia and the involvement of the Houthis, an Iranian ally. He responded that Pakistan has been 'exhibiting honesty' and 'clear on where Pakistan stands with all its partners.'
Lt Gen Chaudhry recalled that Pakistan had openly condemned Israeli attacks on Iran and Iran's retaliatory campaign in the Gulf, emphasizing that the country does not mince words and has a stake in regional peace and stability.
He stressed that Pakistan is committed to a 'negotiated and peaceful' outcome to the conflict, stating, 'We want that the conflict should not expand horizontally or vertically.'
The military spokesperson also addressed questions about the deployment of Pakistani troops in Saudi Arabia under the Makkah defence alliance, stating that such questions were dwelling on the operationalisation of the force.
Lt Gen Chaudhry said, 'The Makkah accord, its actualisation and whatever effects it achieves, that will be purely defensive. That's how the partners, that's how the principles have agreed, that's how it is going to manifest itself.'
He added, 'How that will be done, which component will go there, how it will be employed, that's for the operational commander to decide. And the operational details, because it's a military conflict … no participating country starts disclosing how and where I am going to employ my forces.'
Lt Gen Chaudhry emphasized that the deployment would be 'defensive in nature' and that all countries have the 'right to self-defence' under the United Nations charter.
He concluded by saying, 'It is best, that rather than the threat [manifesting] into an actual operation or a military conflict, you ward it off through collective deterrence.'
Pakistan has been exhibiting that we are a very honest broker … everything stems from honesty.
Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, ISPR Director General
We want that the conflict should not expand horizontally or vertically.
Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, ISPR Director General
