- Saudi minister says parliamentary resolution on Yemen is Pakistan’s internal matter but ‘Saudi Arabia expected better from country’
- Interior Minister Nisar says UAE minister’s ‘threatening remarks’ are contrary to diplomatic norms, says Pakistani nation knows how to safeguard its prestige
Saudi Minister for Religious Affairs Sheikh Saleh bin Abdul Aziz on Sunday said the Pakistani parliament’s resolution on Yemen was the country’s internal matter “but Saudi Arabia expected better from Pakistan”. Abdul Aziz, along with a five-member delegation, arrived in Islamabad on Sunday to discuss the situation in Yemen with emphasis on Pakistan’s refusal to remain neutral in the conflict.
Abdul Aziz said Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are brotherly countries who have come out to help each other in the past. He said the relationship between the two countries would continue to remain strong.
Ever since the Saudi-led alliance began its offensive against Houthi rebels in Yemen, Pakistan has been under immense pressure from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) for military support in the region.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has chaired several high-level meetings with civil and military officials to determine Pakistan’s involvement in the conflict. While the government has clearly stated that Pakistan would defend Saudi Arabia’s “territorial integrity”, it is yet to commit troops and resources to the Saudi-led offensive in Yemen.
A joint session of the parliament, summoned by Premier Sharif to debate Pakistan’s involvement in Yemen, called for Pakistan taking a neutral stance in the war.
While this resolution seems to resonate a majority opinion in Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and its Gulf allies want Pakistan to stand by their side and partake in the ground and air offensive against Houthi rebels in Yemen.
ARAB PARLIAMENT HEAD DISAPPOINTED:
In this regard, Ahmad Bin Mohammad Al Jarwan, Chairman of the Arab Parliament in the Arab League said he was “disappointed” with the Pakistani parliament’s decision to remain neutral in the Yemen conflict.
His comments came a day after the Pakistani parliament decided not to participate in Operation Decisive Storm in a move that drew sharp criticism from the UAE.
Al Jarwan described the Pakistani decision as “inconsistent” with Arab and Islamic stances.
On Saturday, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr Anwar Mohammad Gargash had said, “The Pakistani parliament’s decision that stipulates neutrality in the Yemeni conflict and expresses its genuine support for Saudi Arabia is contradictory and unexpected from Islamabad.”
“The Arabian Gulf is in a dangerous and fateful confrontation and its strategic security is at stake. Moments like these distinguish real allies from those of media statements. Pakistan is required to have a clear stance for the sake of its strategic relations with Gulf states. Positions that are contradictory in such fateful issue has a high cost,” Gargash added.
NISAR WON’T HAVE SUCH STATEMENTS:
In this regard, Pakistan Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Sunday rejected as “against diplomatic norms” remarks by a UAE minister that Pakistan “will have a heavy price to pay” for its neutral stand in the conflict in Yemen.
The Foreign Ministry spokesperson had avoided comments on the statement when the media sought response to the UAE minister’s statement, the interior minister, however, dismissed what he called a “threatening approach”.
“Pakistan nation has brotherly sentiments for Saudi Arabia and UAE. But the threats by the UAE minister are unfortunate and a matter of concern,” the minister said in a statement, adding that UAE’s remarks violated internationally-established ethical standards.
The interior minister maintained that the Pakistani nation is aware of its prestige and knows well to safeguard it.
OPP STANDS BY RESOLUTION:
In the meanwhile, National Assembly Opposition Leader Syed Khurshid Shah Sunday said the consensus resolution of the parliament on Yemen issue reflects sentiments of the people of Pakistan.
“The parliament’s resolution reflects the wishes of the people,” Shah said while talking to reporters in Lahore.
Regarding UAE’s reaction on Pakistan’s resolution on Yemen, Shah said his party was awaiting the Foreign Ministry’s statement on the issue.
Yeah. Saudi's keep funding the terror madrassas and want us to help with their greedy oil fight. Where is Saudi help when Pakistan is fighting against Saudi sponsored madrassa trained terrorists? Why should Pakistan help Saudi invade a poor country?
Why has Pakistan not invited all sides for a round table conference yet ? Talking solves problems, not bombing your Muslim neighbor. Muslim cities should not be bombed, learn to love each other, Shia or Sunni. Ask rebels in Yemen to send a delegation too.
Name one Arab country which even suspended trade links with India in 1971, when Pakistan was dismembered?. Yes they might have given us some financial aid or oil on deferred payment, but nothing beyond that. In fact they chose to remain neutral. However we should continue to support Saudi Arabia, in case their territory is invaded or threatened.
Alienate Pakistan and there will be many long term consequences; one of them will be increasing long term military ties with Iran; also Pakistan will not be neutral player in the middle east like it is now……..
Im am staunch supporter of Saudis and UAE. But when you try to blacmail me and ask me to die for you for nothing,or if you shall be displeased, then I need to think many a times
The role of Iran is also queationable in Yemen crisis,
True both Saudi Arabia and Iran must be criticized equally.
Put your emotions a side and think over and over calmly. UAE and Saudi Arabia has been our time tested brothers and friends. Business has nothing to do with Pakistan or India. Even at the time of Prophet(SAS) Muslims have been doing business with all communities. The fact is that these are countries never hesitated to help us when we were in trouble then why should we. We have to stand with them when they need us. Brothers and systers do not make the things difficult for Pakistan and do not let Pakistan be alone without time tested friend to be easy fopod for our enemies.
You are an appeaser- The intrests of Pakistan are paramount. When did your arab friends support Pakistan in Kashmir? Until 1956 SA used to call Nehru as the prophet of peace. What help did the arabs provide in1965 &1971?
Very well said IbbeRaja. I totally agree with you. Saudi Arabia has been on the top of donors list when Pakistan's northern areas were struck by a strong earthquake in 2005, and UAE, Kuwait etc were subsequent to Saudi Arabia. Then, in 2010, heavy rains caused floods in Pakistan and this time again Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait etc topped the list of donor countries. We don't have such a short memory and we still remember how these gulf countries responded to our difficult situation. We should not show disrespect and short sightedness to them at all.
The Prophet s.a.w did trade but war was never part of any treaties unless provoked.So Pakistan must remain neutral and the Arabs must realise that business and war cannot go together.
So just because they sent donations (which even non-Muslim countries also donated to Pakistan) we send our military to fight particular sect of Islam in Yemen? Shame
Well done Pakistan! Let the savage Saudis fight their own battles—and lose.
When i was growing up my father used to teach me :Manners maketh a man: Obviously the honorable minister from UAE has had a different upbringing. He displays hubris. We appreciate that his country is rich and has invested in Pakistan and also employs thousends of Pakistanis in UAE. This is the idirect threat this gentleman is issuing to influence the Foreign policy of Pakistan. Pakistani blood is not sale. It used to be under dictators but no more. May i ask whom are the Gulf countries fearing? Please read my response to Sa in the next comment
WHy don't the GCC, Saudi Arabia primarily, invite the muslim countries to fight against Israel? I am sure they would get a better response than this. The irony is that KSA is highly sedated, deliberately, when it comes to the Palestinian cause.
This is not our war (especially a declared sectarian-fight). If Saudi Arabia considers us as "friends" then they must realize our own fight with abundance of terrorism (thanks to their funding of terrorist parties etc). Stop these aimless visits.
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