Apr 07 , 2015
News
Lawmakers urge cautious response to Saudi request
PPP leader asks government to provide limited defence support to Saudi as intelligence sharing
APP
ISLAMABAD – Lauding the government for calling a joint session of parliament to discuss Yemen crisis lawmakers on Tuesday underlined the need to carefully respond to Saudi Arabia's request to Pakistan for military assistance.
Taking part in the discussion Senator, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Farhatullah Babar said that the Yemen issue was of great importance and needed attention. “There is a need to take a decision in this regard carefully. We should not interfere in territory of any other state,” he said.
He said that the war in Yemen was among tribes and it was not a war between sects adding that it was also clear that not Saudi Arabia but Yemen was attacked. He was of the view that there was a need to arrange in-camera session to take parliamentary leaders into confidence on the issue.
“The defence minister has told this House that Saudi Arabia has demanded troops, aircrafts and naval vessels from Pakistan but did not inform what Pakistan’s response to their request was,” he said. He asked the government to provide limited defence support to Saudi Arabia such as trainings, logistic support and intelligence sharing.
He also proposed that the government should play a role of peace maker instead of involving in the war. Babar also appreciated the return of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawmakers and termed it a victory of democracy. He lauded the efforts of Speaker Ayaz Sadiq for bringing back PTI MNAs to the parliament.
FATA MNA Dr GG Jamal said that Pakistan was facing economic, terrorism and sectarian challenges and it was after a long period that Pakistan started to address these issues seriously. “Getting into this war (Yemen crisis) offensively may affect our own war against these issues,” he said. He expressed the hope that whatever suggestions would be given by the parliamentarians would get due consideration.
He also appreciated the PIA's efforts to bring back stranded Pakistanis from Yemen and stressed that the PIA crew that went Yemen to bring back Pakistani nationals should be given medals.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk