Pakistan not joining any anti-Iran coalition, Asif tells NA

ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif assured the National Assembly on Tuesday that Pakistan under no circumstances would join a military alliance against Iran, contrary to speculations doing the round because of the country’s support for a Saudi-led coalition of 34 Muslim nations aimed at curtailing the spread of extremism and terrorism in the region.

Mr Asif, who looks after the key portfolios of water and power as well as defence, said in a policy statement before the house: “After Iran, Pakistan has the second largest Shia population in the world, so how can we even think of joining an anti-Shia military alliance.”