Joint session on Yemen war turns into anti-PTI spat

• PPP stands by PTI as PML-N, MQM, JUI-F members taunt Imran Khan, raise slogans
• Politicians ask heavy-loaded questions over Pakistan’s involvement in the Yemen crisis
• Aitzaz Ahsan asks govt to concretely explain stance on Yemen before taking them into confidence

Though the government had convened the fourth joint session of the Parliament to evolve a unanimous strategy over the Middle Eastern crisis, its own lawmakers and members from the Muttahidda Qaumi Movement (MQM) and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) made their utmost efforts to turn the debate into an anti-Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) spat.

The joint session started almost 40 minutes late of its scheduled time, but the proceedings of the session had to be suspended as the opposition insisted to delay the session until the arrival of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was busy in prescheduled engagements with the state visit of the Sri Lankan President.

But the hallmarks of the session were the slogans raised by treasury benches, which were joined in by lawmakers of MQM and JUI-F, both the parties hostile against the PTI.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif opened salvo against PTI Chairman Imran Khan for his media talk at the Parliament House, dubbing the PTI lawmakers “shameless”. As a result, Imran Khan left the House silently, asking his deputy Shah Mahmood Qureshi to represent the party in debate.

“Maango Maango Muaafi Maango (ask for forgiveness)” and “Go Imran Go” were the slogans raised by the PML-N members followed by “Laut Kay Budhoo Ghar Ko Aaye (prodigal son returns)”. No one could converse in peace as desk-thumping and noise continued unabated.

Danyal Aziz and Umar Asghar stood from their seats and sought permission from the chair to speak on point of order but the chair did not allow it, telling the members that it was a joint session and no other point could be raised other than the motion to be moved by the defence minister to initiate the debate over the Gulf crisis.

“I would adjourn the House if the House is not in order,” the National Assembly speaker warned. Later the defence minister moved the motion.

“PTI leaders should have some grace and ethics. Despite their tirade against the Parliament during the eight-month long sit-ins, they have returned to the same fake Parliament. Today again, (Imran Khan) has reiterated their allegations. They are shamelessly sitting in the Parliament. They must have some ethics,” Khawaja Asif said.

However, Opposition Leader in Senate Aitzaz Ahsan said that the defence minister’s attitude was inappropriate regarding the PTI. “He is proving to be a Trojan horse for the government. I don’t know why Khawaja and his comrades are hell bent on damaging all the good done by the government,” he added.

Referring to the PTI-MQM tension, Aitzaz said that some friends may have reservations over a by-election of NA-246, but this session should not be allowed to spoil the joint session.

“Can we afford to hold a mini-general election,” wondered the PPP leader.

MQM’s Farooq Sattar said that the resignations by PTI lawmakers have been automatically accepted and they were no more members of the House.

“Allowing them to attend the session is unconstitutional. They claim that they tendered their resignations but National Assembly speaker did not accept them. PTI lawmakers are strangers in the House. If the unconstitutional acts are committed in the Parliament, anyone can come into the House. If the PTI lawmakers claim that someone else tendered resignations and they did not do so, then they can be allowed to enter the House,” he added. JUI-F chief Fazlur Rehman agreed with him.

“It’s victory of democracy. We used to tell Imran Khan that Parliament is representative of the people of Pak. You can better represent the people in Parliament. Credit goes to Opposition not to create a situation to calm down situation. Dialogue is best option to resolve conflicts. Now once PTI has returned to Parliament and accepted the Parliament’s supremacy, now this hooliganism is of no use,” the JUI-F chief said.

However, NA Speaker Ayaz Sadiq said that he would give a ruling over the matter. The MQM lawmakers staged a token walkout.

Responding to the remarks against PTI, Makhdoom Shah Mahmood said that defence minister had given priority to personal issues rather than the national issues.

PPP leader Khurshid Shah regretted that the government itself had convened joint session but now its members are not allowing house to having a debate. “Why government lawmakers not in control. MPs should protest against their own government. Are you condemning your own government?” he asked.

YEMEN COOKIE CRUMBLES:

In his opening statement in the House, Khawaja Asif said that ‎Saudi authorities had cooperated with Pakistan to help evacuate Pakistani citizens from conflict-hit Yemen. He said that Saudi Arabia provided a safe corridor from its ‘no fly zone’ despite the ongoing war on Pakistan’s request to help evacuate the Pakistani citizens. He said that the UNSC has supported legitimacy of President Hadi who sought action from the GCC to help restore his government. He said King Salman bin Abdul Aziz had called Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and asked for help in the Yemen crisis.

“During the consultations, we reaffirmed Pakistan’s support to act against non-state actors trying to overthrow a legitimate government. In order to find a peaceful resolution to crisis, the ‎PM also visited Turkish leadership. He would also contact other leaders of regional countries,” he added.

He said during the talks, Saudi Arabia government had asked Pakistan to provide its aircraft, naval vessels and ground troops for operation Decisive Strom.

He said that under diplomatic offensive for a peaceful resolution of the crisis, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Naif is visiting Turkey today.

“Turkish president would be visiting Iran. Then Iranian FM would visit Pakistan. This is all part of efforts to affirm peace,” he added.

“Turkey and Pakistan are making joint efforts to resolve the crisis in Yemen. There is a need to find a peaceful solution to the problem and Pakistan will strive for it. The debate in Parliament would help resolve the issue,” he added.

“Our armed forces are directly fighting and 172,000 army men are fighting terrorists. We have suffered US$ 100 billion and suffered 50,000 casualties of our army men. Our army is only among the comity of nations to fighting head-on against the terrorists and this war would continue till the last terrorist is eliminated,” he added.

Speaking on the Yemen issue, opposition leader Aitzaz Ahsan said the statement by defence minister is vague and it has no concrete information.

“We are ready to help the government pass a unanimous resolution over the crisis but the government must inform this house what pledges it has made to Saudi Royal family. Already Libya, Iraq, Syria are burning in the sectarian war,” he added.

The first effort the government needed to do is that the diplomacy should have been given a chance.

“During the Arab-Israel war, Bhutto visited 44 Muslim countries in 12 hours time. Our PM only visited Turkey. He should have visited Riyadh, Tehran, Baku, Tashkent, Dhaka in a bid to have a ceasefire and then for dialogue. Pakistan is a major player in the Muslim world. He should have opened diplomatic channels to stop the war,” he added.

Now analysts say that Israel stands behind Saudi Arabia in this war as retaliation against Iran.

Bhutto had sent Pakistani troops to fight from Egypt in Arab-Israel war. Pakistani pilots had downed Israeli aircraft in Arab-Israel war, said the PPP leader.

“We say that this is not a sectarian war. So it is true that the sovereignty of Saudi Arabia is as dear to us as is the sovereignty of Iran. Saudi spent US$62 billion on their defence system while another US$80 billion would be spent this year. There is no likelihood that rebels could launch an attack into Saudi territory crossing 2,000 miles into rugged terrain while Saudi Arabia has great air power,” he added.

Shah Mahmood Qureshi of PTI said the parliament should stand united over a sensitive issue.

“Saudi media is claiming that the government of Pakistan has made concrete commitments with the Saudi Arabia government. Now the defence minister may clarify the government’s position. He told us today that the government would not make any commitment without the parliamentary approval. There is a need to evolve consensus over the issues of the foreign policy,” he added.

“Is there a territorial threat to Saudi Arabia or not? Are they expecting aggression from Yemen or not? Is there any UN sanction of the air strikes on Yemen? If it constitutes an aggression and would it be declared war crimes in near future,” he asked.

“We are already fighting a war against terrorists and over 172,000 troops are involved in the Zarb-e-Azb. We already have to deal with issues in Balochistan, Karachi and on our eastern borders. Why is the OIC forum not being explored while Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Pakistan are member-states of the Islamic body? When strikes were made into Yemen, was Pakistan consulted or informed? Is military action a political solution to the conflict? US intelligence has reported that AQAP, a branch of al-Qaeda, is expanding its hold in Yemen in wake of the conflict,” he remarked.

“Today, the public opinion is against joining the operation Divisive Storm. Iran is our neighbor and it has already expressed its reservations. Are we in a position to have another hostile neighbor? The PTI fully agrees with what has been said by Aitzaz Ahsan,” he concluded.

“In the Iranian constitution, Zaidi sect is termed as ‘Sunnis’. There is a proxy war going on in Yemen. I am happy to note that the House is evolving consensus that Pakistan should not be a party and rather it should work for reconciliation. We must review our policies as we are working under an international agenda,” Fazlur Rehman said, speaking over the Yemen issue.

“Yes, Saudi Arabia is our friend. When Saddam was deposed, no one called it a sectarian war. We should also analyse and asses what support we could extend to Saudi Arabia as entire Arab world is facing bloodshed and if we do not work for reconciliation, this fire may engulf the entire world. He said that if the government can’t spell out the details, a solution could be evolved,” he concluded.