Expressing grave concern over the government’s decision to join a Saudi Arabia-led military coalition, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) asked the government to immediately call a joint session of parliament to develop a consensus on the issue of serious national interest before making a final decision.
In this regard, PTI formally submitted a resolution in National Assembly Secretariat here on Wednesday. The resolution was submitted by PTI lawmakers Dr Shireen Mazari, Asad Umar and Arif Alvi.
The meeting of PTI Chairman Imran Khan with the Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Friday had triggered a widespread speculation that the later requested the former to soften his stance on the issue of Pakistan’s joining of Saudi-led military alliance, especially General (Retd) Raheel Sharif’s appointment as the head that alliance.
However, the resolution proved that PTI chairman hadn’t yet softened his stance on the issue and was in no mood to show any leniency—which is the reason why the party demanded a joint session of the parliament on the issue.
Taking cognizance of Article 40 of the constitution which states, inter alia, “The state shall endeavour to preserve and strengthen fraternal relations among Muslim countries based on Islamic unity and encourage the settlement of international disputes by peaceful means,” the resolution reads.
The resolution reads that recognising the unanimous parliamentary resolution on Yemen dated April 10, 2015, and, learning from the country’s history, it was not in Pakistan’s national interest to get involved in others’ wars, as people were still suffering the consequences of such involvements in the past.
Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have a special brotherly bond and historic ties of cooperation and brotherhood; Pakistan was committed to defending the Holy cities of Mecca and Madina.
However, the party expressed grave concern over the government’s decision to join a KSA-led military alliance ostensibly to “fight terrorism” with debate and consultation in the parliament.
“Without knowing the parameters or terms of reference of such an alliance, it demands the government to immediately call a joint session of parliament to develop a consensus on the issue before making a decision on the alliance,” it added.
On April 6 (last Thursday) Imran Khan, in a conversation at a business summit in Islamabad, categorically stated that the PTI was against entering into any alliance forged for war because the country has already paid a heavy price of becoming part of such wars in the past.