Bahrain Mirror: Sartaj Aziz, Advisor on Foreign Affairs to Pakistani Prime Minister, considered that war on Yemen carries sectarian dimension. This was one of the reasons that prevented his country from taking part in the war.

Aziz said during last plenary session of the 12th Manama Dialogue 2016, held on Sunday (December 11, 2016) that 20% of Pakistanis are Shia and that Pakistan is keen not to transform the tension between Iran and Saudi Arabia to tension between Sunnis and Shiites in Pakistan, adding "that's why we deal cautiously in our relation with the two countries."

The advisor described the Saudi-Iranian relations as "worrying" and called on the two countries to hold talks. In this context he said "it is important to find out a way to resume communication between Saudi Arabia and Iran, even if not on the official level."

"We have a very good relation with Saudi Arabia and Gulf States. We are neighbors with Iran and we have business relationship with it," Aziz further stated.

He indicated that Pakistan did not take part in the coalition process in Yemen due to what Pakistan was subjected to during the past 20 years, especially after September 11 incidents and Afghani war.

"We believed that any foreign interference in the absence of UN decision and amid sectarian horizon won't be a good project," he explained.

Sartaj Aziz, however, highlighted "we proceed in our defense cooperation with GCC states including military trainings and other things, but our troops do not get involved in issues related to Syria or Yemen."

Arabic Version