Mar 31, 2015
News
Pakistan offers mediation to resolve Yemen conflict
* Calls upon UN, OIC and international community to play constructive role in finding political solution of conflict
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Monday offered its role to arrest the deteriorating situation in the Middle East, as it reiterated its resolve to support the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Saudi Arabia in accordance with the aspirations of the people of Pakistan.
“Pakistan stands committed to playing a meaningful role in arresting the deteriorating situation in the Middle East,” a high-level meeting chaired by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif maintained.
“In the same context and to facilitate early resolution of the crisis and to promote peace and unity of the Muslim Ummah, the prime minister will be contacting the leadership of brotherly countries,” a statement issued by the PM House after the meeting convened to undertake a comprehensive review of the prevailing situation in the Middle East read.
Pakistan calls upon the United Nations, OIC, and the international community to play a constructive role in finding a political solution of the crisis, the meeting concluded.
The meeting was attended by Minister for Finance Ishaq Dar, Minister for Defence Khawaja Asif, Advisor to Prime Minister on National Security Sartaj Aziz, Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman and Acting Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Khan Hasham Bin Siddique and other senior officials.
After the meeting, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif told reporters that Pakistan has not decided to send it troops to Saudi Arabia. However, he added, if there was a threat to the sovereignty and integrity of the brotherly Islamic country, Islamabad would use all its resources to defend it.
He said that a high-level delegation of Pakistan is leaving for Saudi Arabia on Tuesday to meet Saudi officials to review the volatile situation in the region. He said Pakistan holds in high esteem its friendship with Saudi Arabia. He said Pakistan doesn’t want to become part of any sectarian war.
The minister said around 900 Pakistani army doctors and trainers are currently stationed in Saudi Arabia. “Neither Pakistan has sent any troops to Saudi Arabia nor any decision has been taken in this regard so far,” he said. “All stakeholders will be taken into confidence before making any decision on deployment of troops.”
To a question, he made it clear that Saudi Arabia had not so far asked for sending Pakistani troops to Yemen.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk