LAHORE (Web Desk) – Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Monday said the government is using all options to evacuate Pakistani families from war-hit Yemen.
Addressing a seminar at Wapda House in Lahore, the minister said that Pakistan is ready to extend full support if there is any threat to Saudi Arabia’s territorial integrity.
“Saudi Arabia has always helped Pakistan,” the minister said while describing the Arab country as a ‘big brother’.
However the decision regarding joining Gulf-led operation in Yemen will be taken while keeping the country and Muslim Ummah’s interest in mind, he held.
Asif further said the evacuation of Pakistanis from Yemen was underway, adding that arrangements had been finalised to bring 3,000 citizens back home.
Khawaja Asif who also holds the portfolio of water and power minister told participants at the seminar that it was also the responsibility of people to control the waste of electricity and water. “We will control the power crisis soon.”
According to Asif, planning had been completed to make large water dams.
Pakistan evacuated over 500 of its nationals by plane from Yemen on Sunday during a brief pause in air strikes by a Saudi-led military coalition against Houthi forces, a Saudi military spokesman said.
Earlier on Sunday, Asif ruled out the danger for Pakistan getting caught up in a sectarian war.
“So many minorities and sects live in Pakistan. Whatever assurances we give Saudi Arabia is to defend its territorial integrity, but I assure (you) that there is no danger of us getting involved in a sectarian war.”
