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LAHORE: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan today opposed Pakistan’s joining the Saudi Arabia-led counter-terrorism alliance.

Talking to media at Lahore airport, Imran said that joining the 34-nation alliance against terrorism may spark sectarianism in the country. He said that the government should conduct debate on the matter in the parliament.

Earlier this week, Saudi Arabia announced Tuesday the formation of a military coalition of 34 countries to fight terrorism in the Islamic world. A long list of Arab and other Muslim countries such as Pakistan, Egypt, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, together with Turkey, Malaysia and Gulf Arab and African states were mentioned. The list did not include Iran, Syria and Iraq.

On the issue of Sindh Assembly’s resolution that curtailed Rangers special powers in Karachi, the PTI chief said that the people of the city are satisfied with the paramilitary troops operation against criminal elements.

He accused Pakistan People’s Party and Muttahida Qaumi Movement of putting pressures on security institutions in the name of democracy. Imran also criticized the imposition of Rs 40 billion additional taxes without approval of the parliament.