Summary Lawmakers are debating on prevailing situation in Yemen.
ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) – A joint session of the Parliament started today (Monday) to discuss latest developments in the Middle East and debate on Saudi plea for military help in Yemen.
The session has been convened on the advice of the Prime Minister to devise a national policy towards the emerging situation in Yemen.
Members of all political parties including Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) are attending the session. PTI has returned to parliament after boycott of nearly eight months.
OPPOSITION LEADER KHURSHID SHAH`S STANCE
Opposition leader in the National Assembly Khurshid Shah welcomed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawmakers including Imran Khan in the parliament, stating that their presence in the house is victory of democracy.
Khurshid Shah requested Speaker Ayaz Sadiq to allow him to speak when members belonging to the ruling Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) and JUI-F started chanting anti-PTI slogans.
Addressing the joint parliamentary session, Khurshid Shah expressed disappointment over attitude of Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) MNAs.
He said that Finance Minister Ishaq Dar himself requested the PTI to come to the parliament as a serious issue regarding Yemen conflict was to be discussed today.
“I will ask the government to control their members under the party policy,” he said.
Shah said the protesting legislators should protest their own party first because the decision to invite PTI was taken by the PML-N leadership.
Parliament is key forum from where we can serve people of the country in a better way, he added.
He said only dialogue and peace are solution of all the issues. PTI member had tendered their resignations but those were not accepted by the speaker.
Meanwhile, the Opposition Leader emphasized that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif should have been present in the session to give his stance on Yemen conflict.
He urged the speaker to adjourn session till 4:00pm today till the Prime Minister arrives.
Pakistan will initiate strong response if Saudi territory is threatened: Khwaja Asif
In policy statement, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said it is a proud privilege for him to introduce to the Parliament a topic of high national interest.
Defence minister stated that Yemen crisis is a pondering point for all and security situation in Yemen will also affect Pakistan in many ways.
He assured that the decision on Yemen conflict will be taken considering the national interests.
Khwaja Asif said that return of the trapped Pakistanis in Yemen was governments’ first priority as a result of which the Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif directed to initiate the evacuation process.
Pakistan government has taken pledge to stand with Saudi and will initiate a strong response if its territory is threatened, he added.
He said that Saudi Arabia has asked Pakistan for fighter jets and planes.
He thanked Saudi Arabia in providing a safe corridor and no fly zone to carry out the evacuation process of stranded Pakistanis.
He also lauded the efforts of China because of their help to Pakistanis from Aden who were transported to Djibouti and eventually Pakistan whereas the stance of Pakistan and Turkey on Yemen conflict is unanimous.
He confirmed that 134 out of 174 Pakistanis have been evacuated from Sanaa whereas the rescue process is still underway.
Talking about the current situation of Pakistan he said that the army has created a new history by fighting the terrorists and are determined to carry on the war till the terrorists are eliminated.
Meanwhile, Speaker Ayaz Sadiq adjourned the session till 5:00pm today.
