ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): Former chief of general staff (CGS) Lieutenant General (retd) Saeed said that provocations and public discourse aligned with anti-US rant will hardly have any benefit for Pakistan.
He said in a detailed response to his earlier remarks regarding a statement by US Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard, saying his comments were an analytical opinion open to debate.
In his statement issued on X, he acknowledged that several observers had raised valid questions and differing viewpoints, adding that his assessment should not be considered final and could be disagreed with.
“There have been many interesting and relevant questions raised about my opinion on Tulsi Gabbard’s statement. What I had written was an assessment which in no way is the only opinion and can be disagreed with, at will. Many readers have a more qualified analysis. Moreover, I acknowledge that disagreements are based on sound reasons,” he wrote.
Addressing concerns over the timing of Gabbard’s remarks, he stated that it appears coincidental, noting that threat assessments or national intelligence estimates in the United States are typically presented annually to Senate committees, often around March.
“It has rightly been pointed out that the timing of her statement is very important and can not be overlooked. In my humble judgement, timing is coincidental.”
There have been many interesting and relevant questions raised on my opinion on Tulsi Gabbard’s statement. What I had written was an assessment which in no way is the only opinion and can be disagreed, at will. Many readers have more qualified analysis. Moreover, I acknowledge…
— Lieutenant General Saeed (@msaeed26198) March 22, 2026
“In the US, a threat assessment or national intelligence estimate is presented annually to the Senate committee. Although there is no fixed time for this report, in the last five years, the report has always been tabled in March,” he stated.
Commenting on Pakistan being grouped with countries such as Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea, he said this was not unprecedented and has occurred multiple times over the past decade for strategic and political reasons.
He expressed confidence that Pakistan would respond through diplomatic channels as it has in the past.
The retired army officer said that India, with missiles having more than 12000 km ranges, has not been mentioned as another popular observation. Well, India is now a strategic partner of the US, he wrote.
“Irrespective of current irritants in India – US relations, there is huge convergence of interests as well. Moreover, the US strategic community continues to scapegoat Pakistan for their failure in Afghanistan. They also don’t foresee Pakistan’s alignment with long-term US geo- strategic interests. This is primarily because Pakistan will never be an ally against China, while India is part of alliances specific to China’s containment,” Lt Gen (R) Saeed.
On concerns about potential pressure on Pakistan’s nuclear and missile programs, the retired general stated that such challenges are not new, adding that Pakistan has historically managed external pressures, including sanctions and economic leverage.
Discussing bilateral relations, he described Pakistan’s ties with China as longstanding and reliable, while characterizing relations with the United States as largely transactional. However, he cautioned against adopting purely anti-US rhetoric, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a balanced diplomatic approach.
“What we must understand, provocations and public discourse aligned with anti-US rant will hardly have any benefit for Pakistan. When Pakistan has to take a position against US policies at international forums, it did so repeatedly.”
Regarding speculation that pressure could push Pakistan into a conflict involving Iran, he dismissed the notion, asserting that Pakistan recognizes Iran as an important neighboring country and would not become part of any such war. He reiterated that Pakistan’s role has been, and will continue to be, focused on mediation and promoting peaceful resolution through dialogue and diplomacy.
“US pressure through this listing is meant to force Pakistan to join war against Iran. We do hear lot of noise on this issue . In my humble judgement , both US and our allies in ME have full understanding of Pakistan’s internal as well external compulsions. They also know Iran is very important neighbour and a brotherly country for Pakistan and we will never be part of current or future war against Iran. What we did in the past , are doing now brilliantly and will continue to do in the future is mediation for peace and resolution of all issues through dialogue and diplomacy,” he wrote.
