Apr 09 , 2015
News
PM urges Muslim countries to promote restraint on Yemen's issue
Iran’s foreign minister agrees on need to work towards early settlement of conflict
APPISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Thursday called upon all Muslim countries to use their influence to counsel restraint and promote a spirit of mutual accommodation on Yemen's issue.
Talking to Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif here, the prime minister stressed the need to ponder the ways and means to bring an end to the conflict at the earliest by peaceful means. He expressed serious concern over the deteriorating situation in Yemen, which he said was so grave that it could endanger fellow Muslim countries.
The prime minister said that besides the loss of innocent lives, the crisis can undermine the unity of Muslim world. He stated that Iran is a brotherly country and an important neighbour with which the government and people of Pakistan desire friendly and cooperative ties. Bilateral relations and regional issues of common concern came under discussion during the meeting.
Referring to the debate in the joint session of the parliament, Nawaz stated that the people of Pakistan held the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in high esteem and would stand shoulder to shoulder with the Saudi people of Saudi Arabia if its territorial integrity was violated.
He expressed concern of the government of Pakistan on the overthrow of Yemen's legitimate government by non-state actors by use of force. The prime minister stated that it was the shared responsibility of all states to refrain from actions that disturb peace and stability in any country.
Nawaz informed the foreign minister of his efforts to promote peace in Yemen in concert with other Muslim countries. He expressed the hope that the leadership of the Muslim countries would recognize that the continuing conflict in Yemen represents a serious threat to the Ummah and, therefore, they must work together to find a negotiated settlement of this issue.
The foreign minister of Iran agreed on the need to work towards an early settlement of the conflict and presented his government's perspective on exploring different options for resolving the crisis in Yemen. Zarif briefed the prime minister on the understanding his country had reached with the P5+1 on the nuclear issue.
The prime minister expressed his satisfaction on the peaceful resolution of the issue and wished further success in conclusion of a comprehensive agreement by June 2015. Iran's Ambassador to Pakistan Alireza Haghighian; Governor General Sistan-Balochistan, Ali Osat Iashemil; and Adviser of Minister and Deputy of Media Diplomacy Sayyed Mohammad Ali Hosseni accompanied the minister.
Adviser on National Security, Sartaj Aziz, Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi; Secretary to Prime Minister Javed Aslam and Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry also attended the meeting.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk