ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) – Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said his government would unanimously and sincerely chalk out a policy on Pakistan’s possible role in Yemen war.
A joint session of Parliament entered its second day on Tuesday with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif asking parliamentarians to guide the government on its role in the Saudi-Yemen conflict.
Monday’s session was marred by continued heckling between parliamentarians, who spent the day settling scores with the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), whose members had returned to the assembly after a seven-month absence.
Addressing the Parliament’s special session on Tuesday, the prime minister reaffirmed his government’s stance that Pakistan would defend Saudi Arabia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
He also hoped that Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts planned for the coming days would yield results. However, he told the lawmakers that he did not want to manipulate them to get a mandate.
“Take your time, we are not in a hurry, we will take all your good points and I want the parliament also to say something about demands of our friends,” said Sharif.
Nawaz Sharif met his Turkish counterpart Ahmet Davutoglu in Ankara on Friday and said afterwards both countries wanted a peaceful resolution to the Yemen crisis.
More talks involving Turkey, Iran and Pakistan are planned in the coming days, with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan due to meet the leadership in Tehran on Tuesday.
The PM said Turkey might send its foreign minister or convey the message by phone. “We will see what we can do after that. We might visit other Muslim countries together.”
The PM said Pakistan would also hold talks with Iran to ease Yemen tension, urging Tehran to get involved in talks with Pakistan and review policy on Yemen.
“Iran should also join the discussion and evaluate whether their policy is correct or not,” Sharif said.
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif is due in Islamabad on Wednesday to discuss the situation.
The session was later adjourned till Wednesday.
