Top security committee to discuss Arab conflict

• Lawmakers pass unanimous resolution to urge restraint after Middle Eastern diplomatic crisis
• Shireen urges govt to exit Saudi-led military alliance, to adopt a ‘neutral’ role Arab Peninsula
• NA members unanimously condemn gun, bomb attacks on Iran’s Majlis, Khomeini’s shrine

National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq on Thursday said that the National Security Committee of the parliament would discuss in detail the situation in the Arab Peninsula in its upcoming meeting.

During the National Assembly session when the issues of attack on the Iranian parliament and Gulf crisis came under discussion, the speaker proposed that the matters could be better discussed at the Parliamentary Committee on National Security.

“We may add these issues to the agenda of the committee meeting scheduled for June 15,” he remarked as he also informed the House about his communication with the speaker of the Iranian parliament. As the members had pleaded to adopt resolution for solidarity with Iranian people as well as about the situation in the Middle East, the speaker directed to adopt two different resolutions.

In this context, the speaker also mentioned to Article 40 of the constitution that provides that Pakistan would opt for mediatory role to resolve the conflicts among brotherly Muslim countries. He said that any message going to Muslim countries from this House must be the message of the conciliation, brotherhood and harmony.

The lawmakers expressed deep concern over a diplomatic rift in the Middle East and passed a resolution unanimously urging all the countries to show restraint and resolve their differences through dialogue. The resolution – moved by Aftab Ahmad Sherpao – said the House also called upon the government to take concrete steps towards forging unity amongst the Muslims in the region.

MNA Shireen Mazari also called for Pakistan to exit the Saudi-led 41-nation Islamic military alliance, urging Islamabad to adopt a ‘neutral’ role in the Middle East. “The conflict between Saudi Arabia and Qatar has the US and Israel’s fingerprints all over it,” she claimed. “Qatar is being played… Pakistan should stay neutral and play a positive role and try to help resolve the conflict,” she said.

“US President Donald Trump and Israel are against a united Muslim Ummah. Pakistan should immediately exit the Islamic military alliance,” she demanded. Earlier this week, Saudi Arabia, backed by UAE, Egypt, Bahrain, Yemen and Maldives cut off all trade and diplomatic ties with Qatar, accusing the country of sponsoring terrorism.

Qatar denied these allegations, terming them as false and baseless. The crisis is being touted as the biggest in the Middle East and has led Pakistan, along with the countries around the world, into coming up with a suitable strategy to end the conflict. MNA Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad also said that former army chief General Raheel Sharif should not have sent Pakistani troops to Saudi Arabia.

The House also passed a resolution unanimously condemning terror attacks on the Iranian parliament and the mausoleum of Ayatollah Khomeini. The resolution was moved by Minister for Law and Justice Zahid Hamid on behalf of all the lawmakers. “This House expresses its solidarity with the people and parliament of Iran, and reiterates its resolve to jointly combat terrorism in the region.”

Earlier, the House offered prayers (fateha) for the deceased of a terrorist attack on building of the Iranian parliament. Maulvi Agha Muhammad led the prayers. The House prayed for eternal peace of the departed souls and grant of fortitude to the bereaved families. It also prayed for the early recovery of the injured persons and peace and solidarity among Muslim countries and unity.