Mr Asif recalled that a joint session of parliament had unanimously passed a resolution last year on the issue of Yemen-Saudi Arabia conflict, directing that Pakistan would not join any alliance against any Muslim country. “The NOC is issued to retired armed forces personnel under a laid-down procedure,” he added. He said that after the TOR was made public, the former COAS would formally apply for an NOC, required by any retired government officer if he intended to serve anywhere within two years after his retirement. He termed it a ‘ceremonial alliance’, saying that it could be called the Saudi Arabia or Pakistan-led alliance of 41 Muslim states, since there was an understanding between both countries that Gen Raheel Sharif would lead the alliance whenever it is formed. “Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and former COAS Gen Raheel Sharif will attend the event,” he said. The defence minister informed the house that the Saudi government would hold a grand meeting in May, where it would unveil the TOR. The PTI was the only party that remained vocal on the issue after the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) staged a walkout and no other opposition leaders spoke on the matter. “We have committed to safeguarding Saudi Arabia’s soil for the safety and sanctity of the two holy sites - Makkah and Medina - but we will not become part of any conflict against any Muslim state, including Iran,” the defence minister said, responding to the notice moved by Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) MNA Dr Shireen Mazari.īesides Ms Mazari, other PTI leaders, including Asad Umar, Ghulam Sarwar Khan, Ayesha Gulalai and Dr Arif Alvi, also spoke on the issue and expressed concern over Pakistan’s membership of the alliance without complete knowledge of its TOR, aims and objectives. He said that the TOR of the alliance, which is to be led by former Chief of the Army Staff Gen Raheel Sharif, and its aims and objectives will be presented in parliament before formally deciding whether Pakistan should become part of it or not. Responding to a calling attention notice, he said that the terms of reference (TOR) of the Saudi-led military alliance would be unveiled by Saudi authorities next month. ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Thursday assured the National Assembly that Pakistan would not become part of any alliance against a Muslim state.

Tor project hopes fragile code with