Pakistan to examine Iran’s naval alliance proposal

Pakistan to examine Iran’s naval alliance proposal
# 09 June 2023 12:27 (UTC +04:00)

Pakistan on Thursday said it would examine the proposal floated by Iran with regard to forming an Indian Ocean Naval Alliance aimed at ensuring collective maritime security, APA reports citing Tribune.

Iranian Naval Chief Rear Admiral Shahram Irani had proposed the alliance comprising Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, India and Pakistan.

“We have seen that statement and we will examine any proposal when it comes to Pakistan. At this stage, we are not in a position to comment on a statement which has been made,” Pakistani Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch told her weekly news briefing.

The proposal, if executed, would be one of the most important regional security initiatives after the China-mediated rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Iran in March this year. According to the reports, China may have an important role to play in the proposed maritime alliance.

China has emerged a key player in the Middle East politics with brokering a landmark deal between Saudi Arabia and Iran.

Meanwhile, the spokesperson said Pakistan would follow its laws and international obligations while taking up the cases of individuals responsible for the events of May 9.

Responding to a question about the US State Department's request about the provision of consular access to a suspect of May9 vandalism, Khadija Shah, and requests considering other dual nationals who have been detained, the spokesperson said that requests have been received and forwarded to the Ministry of Interior.

The spokesperson was asked "whether the government of Pakistan is willing to provide consular access to her and any other person because many dual nationals are involved in the unfortunate incidents of 9th May".

The spokesperson was further asked that many suspects of May 9 incidents had either fled the country or were hiding abroad as they hold dual nationalities, and whether Pakistan was seeking their custody or any access to those who have fled this country.

To this, Baloch replied, "On both your questions, I would like to underline that Pakistan will follow its laws and its international obligations, in bringing to justice individuals responsible for the events of 9th May. We have received the requests that you have mentioned, and those requests have been sent from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the Ministry of Interior, which takes final decision in such cases".

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