ISLAMABAD, 19 JAN, (DNA) – Federal Minister for Defence Khawaja Asif on Tuesday revealed a former Pakistani ambassador to the United States (US) is campaigning along with India to malign Pakistan and to block delivery of F-16 fighter jets.

Asif made the startling revelation during his briefing to the National Assembly. He told Pakistan is trying to acquire eight F-16 fighter jets from the US on lease but the former ambassador is trying to block the delivery.

Confirming anti-Pakistan lobbies on the US, he said India is also actively lobbying against Pakistan.

He told associating terrorism with the Muslim Ummah is wrong and that the 34-country alliance is not against anyone.

The minister said the alliance has no military objectives and aimed at to prepare a joint counter-terrorism narrative.

On Pakistan‘s mediation between Saudi Arabia and Iran, he said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif s talks with Saudi leadership were very encouraging and there was a good response from SaudiArabia.

Khawaja Asif said the Prime Minister is holding talks with the Iranian leadership today under the same spirit and hoped that the Prime Minister s visit will be successful.

He said the aim of the visit is to defuse tensions between the two Muslim countries. It is also aimed to remove irritants emerged in the unity of Muslim Ummah. He pointed out that Pakistan is playing a mediation role which is also a desire of Parliament. =DNA