Pakistan - PM should take opposition in confidence on Yemen: Asif Ali Zardari

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Former President and Co-Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party Asif Ali Zardari said on Wednesday that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif should take all opposition parties in confidence on the Yemen’s issue before reaching a decision in this regard.

The former president had convened a meeting at Bilawal House in Karachi to discuss the Yemen conflict and review Pakistan’s options. Speaking on the occasion, Zardari said that protection of Harmain and Sharifain is the duty of Muslim Ummah adding that Saudi Arabia has always helped Pakistan in difficult times. However, he maintained that the government should take steps after reaching a consensus in this regard by keeping all political parties in the loop.

The meeting expressed the firm belief that the centrality of Saudi Arabia was pivotal to the Muslim world and Pakistan’s response should reflect this belief.

Participants at the meeting called for an All Party Conference to discuss the issue further and reach a unanimous decision in view of the national interests. The political leaders decided to review the issue on the Parliament’s floor as well.

The opposition leaders stressed that Pakistan should play a role of mediator to resolve Yemen’s conflict.

The meeting was called in the wake of Saudi Arabia’s formal invitation to Pakistan to support the former’s offensive in Yemen against Huthi rebels.

Representatives of all major political parties including Awami National Party and Muttahida Qaumi Movement attended the meeting.

Later, presenting the details of the meeting at a joint communique, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Sherry Rehman said that all opposition leaders have unanimously called upon the government to review the Yemen issue and “propose a way forward.”

She stressed that the gravity of the situation demands a unified national policy not a decision made by few individuals.

Speaking on the occasion, MQM’s central leader Farooq Sattar said that the government should consult all political parties to devise a national policy on Yemen’s issue.

Ex-president Zardari said that PPP has always preferred dialogue on national issues. He said that Pakistan should make a very careful move on Yemen’s conflict. He added that Saudi Arabia hosts 1.5 million Pakistani manpower and around 300,000 works in other Gulf countries.
Source: Daily Capital