Amid heightened regional diplomacy, Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif’s visit to Pakistan can be termed crucial in the wake of the worsening Yemen crisis. While the foreign minister sought Pakistan’s support to Iranian opposition to a military operation against the Houthi forces, the visit is aimed at bolstering relations between the two neighbouring countries. Addressing a joint press conference with Adviser on Foreign Affairs and National Security Sartaj Aziz, the Iranian diplomat laid out a four-stage plan for talks, calling for an immediate ceasefire followed by humanitarian assistance, dialogue among Yemenis and the formation of an ‘all-inclusive government’. Zarif said a consensus was emerging around the Iranian four-point plan following talks with Oman, Turkey and Pakistan. "We need to work together in order to put an end to the crisis in Yemen," Zarif said. The visiting Iranian top official has stressed the need for finding a political solution to the Yemen conflict. The Iranian stance can be termed appropriate because it carries all the ingredients that can be applied for bringing back regional stability. The statement is sensible and negates the propaganda against Iran’s intentions in the Yemen conflict. History testifies that Iran cannot be solely blamed for the ongoing civil war in Yemen. Rather other factors are equally responsible for the crisis. In fact, the nature of the civil war in Yemen is not completely sectarian as is being projected by the media. Other factors including the presence of conflicting groups like Zaidi Shiitte rebels called Houthis, separatists from South Yemen and political loyalists are equally responsible for the ongoing civil war that actually started in 2011 when government loyalists and opposition tribesmen clashed during protests in Yemen.
The narrative shows that Iran has been acting responsibly and its role is not as bad as portrayed by the media. It is backing a political solution to the Yemen conflict through a ceasefire. On this basis, it has heightened its diplomatic moves for stopping the civil war in Yemen while safeguarding its own interests. On the other hand, Washington is backing the coalition and it is stepping up weapons deliveries and intelligence sharing. The US and some other Arab states accuse Iran of meddling in Yemen. Iran's president on the other hand has warned Saudi Arabia and its allies that their airstrikes campaign in Yemen is a ‘mistake’ and called for a halt to the strikes. The air bombardments have so far proved ineffective in defeating the Houthi rebels. Instead these have increased the sufferings of Yemeni citizens and the situation in war-torn Yemen is worsening day by day. The number of casualties is increasing and the supply of aid has been disrupted that may cause a bigger human catastrophe sooner or later in Yemen. At this juncture, the Iranian demand for a ceasefire is logical. All stakeholder countries must pave the way for the start of a meaningful dialogue process for finding a permanent solution to the conflict.
Amid this imbroglio, Islamabad finds itself in an awkward position on Yemen, reluctant to offend oil-rich Saudi Arabia with which it has long enjoyed close military and economic ties but also not wanting to get involved in a war that could fan sectarian tensions at home. After three days of discussions in parliament, there is a broad consensus among lawmakers that Pakistani involvement in the war in Yemen would not be advisable and Islamabad should act neutrally in the whole fiasco. At the same time, Pakistan needs to build better ties with its immediate neighbour Iran that offers huge prospects of trade and energy imports once sanctions are lifted against Tehran. In this regard, the government must exploit the opportunity of the Iranian official’s visit to Pakistan and reciprocate the goodwill gesture of Iran. During separate meetings with the Prime Minister and Chief of Army Staff, the Iranian foreign minister has discussed the possibilities of increasing bilateral relations and called for a mechanism to resolve border issues. All Pakistan needs to do is that it should act neutrally and respond positively to all those offers extended by its neighbours that favour its own national interests.
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