LIVE: Joint session of Parliament continues on second day
Joint session of Parliament summoned to guide government on Pakistan's role in Yemen, PM said.
ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) - The joint session of the Parliament has resumed debate today (Tuesday) to evolve national consensus on the Yemen crisis.
Pakistan has regularly vowed to back Saudi Arabia if there is any threat to its territoreal integrity, but has so far not committed to taking material part in the air strikes against Iran-backed Houthi rebels.
GOVT SHOULD TRAIN SAUDI TROOPS INSTEAD OF SENDING ARMY TO YEMEN: FARHATULLAH BABAR
Senator Farhatullah Babar of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) deeply appreciated the return of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) MNAs and termed it a victory of democracy.
Lauding the efforts of Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, he said that you have contributed a lot in gathering all the leaders on one platform.
Talking about the Yemen conflict, he expressed that Yemen issue is of great importance and needs attention, therefore, the Parliamentarians should take decision carefully and should not interfere in the territory of any other state.
It’s clear that Yemen was attacked and not Saudi Arabia, he said.
Farhatullah Babar also stressed over arranging in-camera session to take leaders into confidence.
"Defence Minister has not fully informed the Parliament regarding what Saudi leaders have requested for. We should respond over Saudi request but should not send our troops to Yemen," he added.
He urged the government to provide trainings, logistic support and intelligence sharing to the Saudi army. He further advised that government should play a role of peace maker rather than destroying peace in the region.
OPPOSITION LEADER URGES PM TO HOLD IN-CAMERA SESSION OVER YEMEN ISSUE
Opposition Leader Syed Khursheed Shah while addressing the joint Parliament’s session expressed his satisfaction over the statement of Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif and stated that we are not in a hurry to take any decision.
He said that all the parties are in a favor of developing good relations with the Muslim community including Turkey and urged the respected PMs of Pakistan and Turkey to find out some reasonable way out to counter Yemen conflict.
He further lauded the stance of government regarding Yemen crisis.
‘After doing meeting with foreign delegations, PM Nawaz should arrange in-camera session for taking the leaders into confidence’, he added.
GOVT WANTS RECOMMENDATIONS FROM HOUSE REGARDING YEMEN ISSUE: PM
The PM said that the purpose of this joint parliamentary session is for the parliamentary parties to guide the government. He said that this issue requires extreme attention.
PM Nawaz has said that he is inspired by Mushahid Hussain’s argumentative speech.
He said that Defense Minister Khawaja Asif explained the matter in great detail and further explanation is not needed. Nawaz said that Turkey president’s view regarding the matter has parallels with that of Pakistan’s.
He assured the parliamentarians that there recommendations would be made part of the policy. PM Nawaz said that Iran must also deliberate over the matter like Turkey is doing. He said that the government is not eyeing mandate through this session but wants sincere recommendations from the lawmakers.
Turkey president would inform about his recommendations after discussing the matter with Iranian president.
Nawaz urged the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly Khurshid Shah to give recommendations regarding the issue.
PAKISTAN SHOULD FOCUS ON UNITY OF MUSLIM UMMAH: MUSHAHID HUSSAIN
Pakistan Muslim League Quaid (PML-Q) leader Mushahid Hussain said the government should keep three basic national interests in mind while reviewing the options regarding Yemen conflict .
He said that Pakistan has decided to reverse the wrongs of the past and launched full-scaled military operation (Zarb-e-Azb) in North Waziristan tribal region to eliminate terrorists.
At this moment, Pakistan cannot afford to send additional troops to any foreign country until we settle our own house in order, he said.
Secondly, we should avoid being part of Yemen conflict as this is not Pakistan’s conflict, he added.
Mushahid Hussain said: "Most of the conflicts are started by internal political powers."
Thirdly, the PML-Q leader said that Pakistan should focus on unity of Muslim ummah. Pakistan’s consistent track record is to mend ties between two sides.
"Yemen is like Afghanistan. It is unwinnable war for any country," he said.
He recommended that the government should seek Chinese friends assistance to raise the issue at UNSC so that ceasefire could be observed in Yemen to prevent further conflict.
Also, he suggested that Pakistan and Turkey should summon a meeting of foreign ministers of Iran and Yemen to find out an amicable solution.
Hussain said: "We should give right advice to our friends whether they are in Tehran or whether they are in Riyadh."
"MY ARMY IS NOT A RENT-AN-ARMY"
"If we get involved in Yemen, a huge blaze will once again erupt in our country," veteran opposition lawmaker Ghulam Ahmed Bilour told parliament. "My army is not a rent-an-army."
Bilour said that Pakistan’s participation in the war would attract sectarianism in the country. He also said that it would disturb Pakistan-Iran relations.
When two Muslim brothers fight, it is our duty to resolve their issue with peace, he added. Former railways minister urged the Prime Minister (PM) to not send troops in Yemen instead make all-out efforts to resolve the matter without using coercive force.
He denounced participation in the Saudi-led offensive in light of spread of sectarianism. Bilour said that the country should play the role of a mediator in the issue. When a dictator dissolved the assemblies and PM Nawaz was sent in exile for more than eight years, Saudi government took great care of him, he added.
YEMEN WAR IS PART OF GREAT GAME: SIRAJUL HAQ
While addressing the parliament, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief Sirajul Haq said that Yemen conflict is part of the great game . He said only weapon makers are benefitting such wars.
"Israel will have 100% benefit from this war," he said.
Sirajul Haq said that Pakistan should try to resolve the issue instead of taking part in the conflict. He appreciated Pakistan, Iran and Turkey s efforts for peace to resolve the Yemen crisis.
He remarked that action should be taken by Pakistan if there is any threat to Makkah and recommended that Pakistan should prevent Saudis from waging a war against Houthi rebels in Yemen.
He said that United States (US) unleashed bloodletting in the Muslim countries. He urged the political parties to let their inner issues go for sometime and work for the benefit of the people.
Haq said that he is satisfied over the coalition with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). He said that the coming election should not witness clashes but harmony among the political parties of the country.
GOVT SHOULD PURSUE DIALOGUE FOR SOLUTION OF YEMEN CRISIS: HASIN BIZENJO
Taking part in the debate, the leader of National Party, Mir Hasil Khan Bizenjo said the government should pursue the course of diplomacy and dialogue for peaceful solution of Yemen crisis.
He said dynamics of politics are reshaping in the Middle East and Pakistan should adopt a sagacious approach for better relations with the entire Arab world and Iran.
