Apr 08 , 2015
News
Iran should be involved in Yemen debate: Pakistan
* Nawaz says government will act according to recommendations of parliament * Malaysia, Indonesia will also be contacted to mull ways for peaceful settlement of Yemen issue
By Ijaz KakakhelISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday called for Iran to get involved in a debate on security in Yemen as parliament resumed discussion on whether Pakistan should join a Saudi-led campaign against Iran-allied Yemeni forces.
“Iran should also join the discussion and evaluate whether their policy is correct or not,” the prime minister told joint session of parliament called to discuss Yemen crisis.
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif begins a two-day visit to Pakistan today (Wednesday) and discussions on Yemen are expected to dominate the meetings.
The prime minister said Pakistan was not in a hurry to decide on joining the Saudi-led coalition. He said the government was seeking guidelines from House and whatever decision is taken, the government will act accordingly. “Take your time. We are not in a hurry. We will take all your good points and I want parliament also to say something about demands of our friends,” he said.
The premier addressed Senator Aitzaz Ahsan’s concern on Defence Minister Khawaja Asif not revealing enough details about Saudi Arabia’s request to join Yemen offensive by saying that it is not suitable to disclose more information than needed. “It is a very sensitive matter,” he said, and added, “I think we should take extra care on this issue.” The PM said that his government is not there ‘to win the mandate with malpractice’, but that it is seeking genuine opinion of parliamentarians on the issue.
Referring to the suggestion that Pakistan should contact other countries on the issue, the PM said he was currently waiting for a statement from Turkey, which was expected by today (Wednesday) after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s meeting with Saudi Interior Minister Prince Mohammad bin Nayef and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. He said that the stance of Pakistan and Turkey on Yemen issue has been very similar so far. He said other countries including Malaysia and Indonesia will also be contacted.
Leader of the Opposition in National Assembly Khursheed Shah said that parliamentarians were not in a rush to decide on the Yemen issue. “But we want that the prime ministers of Turkey and Pakistan should find a reasonable way out of the fire raging in Yemen,” he said.
Taking part in the debate, Senator Mushahid Hussain said the conflict in Yemen was not a sectarian issue. He stressed that it was a Middle Eastern proxy war between Iran and Saudi Arabia.
“We feel indebted to Saudi Arabia for their support in the past,” he said, adding that if there was a threat to Saudi Arabia’s territorial integrity, Pakistan will have no qualms standing by their side.
Senator Farhatullah Babar called for supporting Saudi Arabia in non interventionist way and instead seek to position itself as an honest mediator to bring peace to Yemen. Without sending boots on Yemen ground, Pakistan should assist Saudis in logistics, intelligence, security of key installations, training in mountain and difficult terrain warfare and medical sectors, he said.
Awami National Party (ANP) leader Ghulam Ahmad Bilour said that instead of sending troops to fight the Houthi insurgency in Yemen, Pakistan should play a reconciliatory role. He said Pakistan’s involvement will only lead to a greater sectarian divide in the country.
Jamaat-i-Islaami (JI) chief Sirajul Haq said that Pakistan should play a reconciliatory role in Yemen. He termed the Yemen situation part of a bigger game and said all Arab countries are burning in the turmoil.
MNA Dr GG Jamal from FATA said that Pakistan was facing economic, terrorism and sectarian challenges and it was after a long period that the country started to address these issues seriously.
Chief of Pakistan Muslim League (Zia) Ejaz ul Haq said that efforts were being made to pitch Muslims against each other.
Dr Jahanzeb Jamaldini of Balochistan National Party (Mengal) said that negotiation is the best policy for resolving any conflict. He said Pakistan and Turkey should make efforts jointly to sort out the issue amicably.
President of the National Party (NP) Senator Mir Hasil Khan Bizenjo said that the crisis in Yemen was internal affair of the war-torn country and Pakistan instead of indulging in the war should play a mediatory role.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk