Pakistan must stay neutral in Yemen conflict: parliament

ISLAMABAD: The two houses of parliament on Friday adopted a 12-point unanimous resolution on the Yemen conflict, calling upon the government to maintain neutrality so as to play a proactive diplomatic role to defuse the crisis.
Finance Minister Ishaq Dar tabled the resolution on the last day of the joint sitting of parliament after the parliamentary leaders reached a consensus in a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif at the Parliament House.
Advising the government to stay neutral on the Yemen conflict, the resolution expressed unequivocal support for Saudi Arabia and zero tolerance for any violation of its territorial integrity or any threat to the two Holy Mosques (Harmain Sharifain).
It further said Pakistan would stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Saudi Arabia and its people in case of any threat.Inside sources said during the parliamentary parties meeting, the PTI leaders desired that Defence Minister Khawaja Asif should not move the resolution and someone else should do the job.
They told the prime minister that if the defence minister moved the resolution, then they would boycott it.The resolution also desired that the government should take steps to move the United Nations and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to bring about an immediate ceasefire in Yemen.
It called upon the warring factions in Yemen to resolve their differences through dialogue.The resolution appreciated the arrangements made by the government for the safe and swift evacuation of Pakistanis and nationals of many other countries from Yemen.
It also expressed gratitude to the People’s Republic of China for its contribution towards the evacuation of Pakistanis from Yemen.The resolution apprehended that the crisis could plunge the entire region into a turmoil.
It supported regional and international efforts for restoration of peace and stability in Yemen and underscored the need for continued efforts by the Government of Pakistan to find a peaceful solution to the crisis while promoting the unity of Muslim Ummah in cooperation with the leaders of other Muslim countries.
The resolution urged the Muslim Ummah and the international community to intensifytheir efforts for promotion of peace in Yemen.The resolution expressed deep concern over the increasing threats posed by different terrorist groups and non-state actors to the security and stability of the region and advised the government to enhance its friendship and cooperation with the GCC and all other regional countries to combat extremism and terrorism.
It desired that the government initiate steps to move the UN Security Council and the OIC to bring about an immediate ceasefire in Yemen. Earlier, resuming debate on the Yemen crisis, Mohsin Khan Leghari said relentless efforts should be made to bring an end to the Yemen conflict. He said Pakistan should play a neutral role in accordance with its foreign policy.
PPP’s Ayaz Soomro said Pakistan had always played leadership role in the Muslim Ummah.Senator Mohsin Aziz called for finding a political solution to the Yemen conflict.
Maulana Muhammad Khan Sherani of JUI-F said Yemen conflict could have serious implications for the region and the world at large. PML-N’s Nihal Hashmi appreciated government’s steps for peaceful settlement of the Yemeni crisis.
Syed Asif Hasnain of MQM said responsibility rests with the whole world to play its role for an early resolution of tribal war in Yemen.