- PM Sharif says he has asked Iran to bring Houthi rebels to Yemen talks table
- PM gives Pakistan’s assurance to stand shoulder to shoulder with Saudi Arabia in line with its long term commitments to strategic ally
- Allays misinterpretation over Parliament’s resolution on Yemen war
With the decision to commit Pakistan’s troops to Saudi Arabia’s cause in Yemen hanging in limbo, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has urged a peaceful solution to the Yemen crisis through dialogue with warring factions and reiterated the importance of the Saudi Kingdom as a ‘strategic ally’.
“I told Iranian Foreign Minister Javed Zarif that Houthi rebels have set a dangerous precedent that was fraught with serious risks for the entire region. I urged Zarif to use Iranian influence to bring Houthi rebels on the talks’ table. We have already intensified contacts with Saudi Arabia to monitor the ground situation and possible threats to the security and territorial integrity of the Kingdom. We believe that the restoration of President Hadi’s government will be an important step forward towards establishing peace in Yemen,” PM Sharif said, giving a policy statement on Yemen issue after consultation with the military leadership.
The premier was flanked by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Foreign Affairs Adviser Sartaj Aziz, Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhry, Tariq Fatemi and Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid.
BUT THERE IS A MISUNDERSTANDING:
In his address on Monday, PM Sharif upheld Parliament’s recent resolution to stay ‘neutral’ in the Yemen conflict, and repeated the words of the resolution regarding the importance of Saudi Arabia as an ally. “We stand with them shoulder to shoulder,” he said.
The prime minister said they were also in touch with other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries to assure them that their disappointment was based on an apparent misinterpretation of the Parliament’s resolution.
“We want to assure the GCC that their frustration was due a miscommunication in the interpretation of the stand of our Parliament. There should be no doubt about our policy; we do not abandon friends.”
WITH YOU DESPITE ODDS:
Pakistan firmly believes that President Mansur Hadi’s government will be important to maintain peace and stability in Yemen, said the premier, adding that media reports have been speculative and have created misunderstandings.
“Parliament had affirmed in categorical terms that any violation of territorial integrity of Saudi Arabia will not be tolerated. This is promised despite the massive commitment of our troops in Zarb-e-Azb,” said Sharif.
He said that from the very start, Pakistan’s policy was based on the following principles: “The importance of Saudi Arabia as one of our most important strategic allies; The sanctity of the two Holy Mosques and full support to their Custodian; Pakistan’s long term commitment to Saudi sovereignty, territorial integrity and stability which has been the main pillar of our foreign policy pursued by successive governments; Our firm assurance to our Saudi brothers that we shall stand shoulder to shoulder with them.”
The resolution passed by the Parliament on April 10, the prime minister said, fully endorsed these principles and strengthened the hands of the government for playing a positive and constructive role. He said the Resolution had affirmed, in clear and categorical terms, that any violation of the Saudi territorial sovereignty or threat to the two Holy Mosques would evoke a strong response from Pakistan.
The prime minister’s address comes after a somewhat heated exchange of response among officials of Pakistan and UAE over Pakistan’s allegedly ambiguous stance on Saudi Arabia-led coalition’s military help in Yemen.
Pakistan cannot afford to tackle terrorism and civil war in other countries. We have to take steps to make security better in Karachi, in KPK in Baluchistan. And the army is busy and committed to do that; it is doing a good job with respect to that as well. Pakistan cannot afford to send its overstretched army in a civil war.
Yemen , Syria , Iraq and Libya are hopeless (anarchy) militia states ; these are hopeless states, hopeless. How can we save these states; even the US army could not bring stability after 10 years in Iraq.
This statement it self confirms doubts about Nawaz Sharif’s real agenda based on his personal interests and that of Ishaq Dar. Look at the characters standing behind! They further degrade the statement by their sheer presence. They are known to be the household staff and have no opinion. I think Nawaz Sharif has further damaged his own image which is already tarnished. Thanks to his limited intelligence and this team standing by and behind.
indian central intelligence created perfect situation to isolate pakistan from its best allies near future they might isolate pakistan from world community and make it a failed state and show to the world the founders of pakistan were wrong that is what they trying to do since last three decades
This is a bold step – Pakistan has taken the initiative in a broader perspective. A peaceful solution to this issue is a must. You cannot just go by toppling the regimes and impose minority rule over majority. Pakistan along with Turkey and other neutral states should bring about an agreement between these states to form a multi-rule government (both deposed President Hadi and Houthis). For God's sake, the poor people want peace, meals and jobs not your wars and problems.
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