Pakistan

Any threat to Saudi's territorial integrity will evoke strong response from Pakistan: Nawaz

Khawaja Asif, Sartaj Aziz to leave for Saudi Arabia on Friday

Afp/our Correspondent March 26, 2015

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. PHOTO: AFP

ISLAMABAD: Amid reports that Pakistan is all set to join the fight against Huthi rebels in Yemen, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said any threat to Saudi Arabia’s territorial integrity would evoke a strong response from Pakistan.

Situation in the Middle East created after Saudi Arabia launches strikes against Huthi rebels in Yemen was discussed in a high level meeting presided by the prime minister in Islamabad on Thursday. Minister for Defense Khawaja Asif, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign and National Security Affairs Sartaj Aziz, Army Chief General Raheel Sharif and Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman were also present at the meeting.

Read: Saudi Arabia launches strikes against Huthi rebels in Yemen

During the meeting it was decided that a delegation comprising of defence minister and advisor to PM on National Security would leave for Saudi Arabia on March 27 to assess the situation. Senior representatives from the armed forces would also accompany the delegation.

On the occasion, PM Nawaz said Pakistan enjoys close relations with Saudi Arabia, and attached great importance to its security.

Earlier in the day, foreign office spokesperson Tasnim Aslam said the kingdom had asked Pakistan to join the coalition.

"I can confirm we have been contacted by Saudi Arabia in this regard. The matter is being examined. That's all I have to say at the moment," she told a weekly press briefing.

Aslam said no decision had been taken yet on whether to close the Pakistani embassy in the Yemeni capital of Sanaa.

Read: Saudi says Pakistan wants to join fight against Yemen rebels

The official Saudi Press Agency said earlier that Pakistan, along with Egypt, Jordan, Morocco and Sudan, had all "expressed desire to participate in the operation".

Egypt and Jordan have confirmed they will join Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia in the coalition.

However, joining the coalition might irk Pakistan's minority Shia community and neighbour Iran.

COMMENTS (70)

syed & syed | 9 years ago | Reply @Anon: What a logic. Iran stands no where and you are trying to have a conflict with Iran.Shameeeee

syed & syed | 9 years ago | Reply @M.Babar: Hadi had resigned and had no authority to call Saudi aid. He was just a Mister and not President. Please correct yourself

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G Indian | 9 years ago | Reply The holy land of Mecca and Medina, which belongs to all Muslims, should be a separate country just like the way Vetican functions. House of Saud just happen to inherit that region. Are they any special human beings?. I don't think so. Let the Wahab worshippers deal with their problems. There is no need for nuclear armed Pakistan to be a slave of Sauds.

khan | 9 years ago | Reply zak, It is a disgrace for me to see that how educated people of pakistan are supporting this war. How naive you are to comment such a thing.

Usman | 9 years ago | Reply I support providing army to protect Mecca/ Medina borders in a defensive capacity only and maybe even provide some defence to other parts of Saudi but only Defence There should be no offensives launched by Pak Army as its not our fight. Very simple

S Chaudhury | 9 years ago | Reply What a brainless PM?

zara | 9 years ago | Reply @ajeet: What is ur integrity , kargil coffin scandal?

G Indian | 9 years ago | Reply Should Pakistan support Mecca and Medina - Absolutely, yes. Should Pakistan support Riyadh. No, none of Pakistan's business. Saudi can/should take care of itself.

Khwaja | 9 years ago | Reply @ajeet: Yes true. We failed. Just like Muslims in gujrat couldn't protect themselves. But u know something...We sure can protect ourselves now. Come try us. It will be fun. Likes of u deserve statements of this kind. I'd love to see peace and harmony between countries but it can't be till morons like u walk this earth. Now get your head out of your.....and focus on yourself.

Parvez | 9 years ago | Reply @I am a Khan: What exactly has Saudi Arabia given the PEOPLE of Pakistan, may I ask ?

Hugh Slaman | 9 years ago | Reply @ajeet: It's not 1971 anymore buddy! Keep feeling good about the past.

Salman Husen | 9 years ago | Reply @M.Babar: Yes absolutely we should protect them at any cost....

SK | 9 years ago | Reply Pakistan has no business to get involved in any external conflict least of all for Saudi Arabia which sponsors and supports terrorism in our country. Let the Arabs deal with this mess in their backyard. We have enough internal issues/terrorism/Zarb e Azb to deal with to get embroiled in another dispute which is not ours in the first place. Those Pakistani's who support Pakistan's intervention should pack their bags and go fight alongside ISIS terrorists/Saudi's against the Yemeni rebels. Let Pakistan army do its job where its needs the most - on their home turf! Just because the Sharif family ends up getting refuge in Saudi Arabia does not mean it should be done by creating more of a mess for Pakistan!

faisal | 9 years ago | Reply Mr. PM, Please first save your own territorial integrity.

zaka ullah butt | 9 years ago | Reply We should not have been concerned had it been a local sectarian conflict. Iran has been meddling in the affairs of other countries on a pure sectarian basis. This leads to the conflict in all the countries even pakistan. I feel that the agenda of the persian clergy has to remain in check. creating destability in the region would only enhance misery. Pakistans decision seems perfect in the current circumstances.

Nasir | 9 years ago | Reply Yes we acknowledged the decision of Pakistan government to defend Saudi Arabia against any aggression.

asif | 9 years ago | Reply The Pakistan Army should knock some sense into Nawaz Sharif, and stay away from Saudis. Let them fight their own war.

Dr. Asad Sadick | 9 years ago | Reply Tell SA, go get lost. They may have done NS a personal favour but we the people of Pakistan detest the Saudis. There is no justification to join the Saudi action. We have enough of our own problems.

goldconsumer | 9 years ago | Reply Pakistan will inevitably a part of this war. All these ttp and elements will join in too. Attack on saudi arabia means total division on ethnic bases..

F. Khan | 9 years ago | Reply Mr. Prime Minister, you are elected to serve the people of Pakistan and to look after their affairs. You were not elected to look after the affairs of Saudi Arabia. Please do not take a decision that will not serve you well in the future. If you desire to do something for Saudi Arabia, please give up your Prime Ministership and go and serve the Royal family there. Thank you.

raider | 9 years ago | Reply Yes, Sharifs can jeopardize Pakistan s’ security and interests for their personal relation

ZAK | 9 years ago | Reply Donot Split Islam between Sunni and Shia.The integerity of Ummah should remain intact. Terrorist is terrorist it has no religion or sect.If Saudis think that Huthis are terrorist and they challenge SA authority inside or alongside border.They should fight and eradicate them. After all Pakistan is also fighting alone against terrorist.The step to join SA led coalition must be taken very carefully. It is old technic of anti Islam forces to split them one throrugh Shia and Sunni sectarianism. On the other Iran should be extremely careful while supporting Rebels in Yemen. It is time all neighbour in Gulf should sit together and resolve issue.

harkol | 9 years ago | Reply Sounds strange coming from a elected leader, whose country's army has never won any war it has fought, and has never hesitated to even jail/murder its elected leaders!! Are we sure this is not a parody of a leader?

flabbergasted | 9 years ago | Reply @M.Babar: Bhai, you know what did Saudis do to places in these holy cities? We are so clueless...

Khwaja | 9 years ago | Reply Go namaz go....be the first to fight there yourself and take your whole family with you. jam r shahadat tumhara hua

Babbarsher Khan | 9 years ago | Reply Bandaa taiyaar hai khidmat ke liye! Go slow Nawaz, niether Saudi Arabia nor Saudi monarchy is being attacked by the insurgents in Yemen, so no need to show your unquestionable loyalty to the medieval regime in Riyadh. Let King Salman, his princes and local cronies take care of his throne and their "purkhon ki kamaayii". You better focus on Karachi, KP, Baluchistan and other restless part of our pure nation.

GI Joe | 9 years ago | Reply After Yemen, please dismantle the Iranian regime. Saudi Arabia, we are counting on you to lead the way and rid the Middle East of sectarian terrorism.

TooTrue | 9 years ago | Reply This is cringeworthy. Saudii Arabia is the aggressor. Do you recall Saudi Arabian troops helping Pakistan S it was dismembered in 1971? I thought not.

Umar | 9 years ago | Reply This is unconstitutional take sides in another country's civil war Saudi's should send their own prince to fight these wars. We already have enough going on.

cautious | 9 years ago | Reply Same country that infected you with Wahhabi extremism (the source of almost every problem Pakistan faces) is now asking you to go to war against some Shia you have never met. Not sure whether to laugh or cry.

ajeet | 9 years ago | Reply This is going to be manna from heaven for India, similar to what Russian invasion of Afghanistan was for Pakistan. It will give strategic depth to India inside Pakistan.

MAJ | 9 years ago | Reply the last line seems awkward in a sense that national security remain top priority of government through their foreign policy. If the situation demands such acts they have to do it one way or another. Rest killing in the name of anything is not to be cherished anyway.

Hassan | 9 years ago | Reply @Adnan Siddiqi: Mr. Adnan. I am.also a citizen of Pakistan uust like you and no I wont move to Iran. You seems like a bigot and racist for telling people to.move just because they dont support a war that Saudi has started. Where is the threat to territorial integrity? I dont see Yemen as being part of Saudi.

ajeet | 9 years ago | Reply Pakistan couldn't protect its integrity in 1971.

Kam | 9 years ago | Reply What is happening in Yemen is sectarianism where a wahabi saudi arabia trying to tople Iranian backed Houthis. Just like wahabi ISIS fighting shias in Iraq and Syria. Now Pakistan's 20 percent population is Shia and we neighbour with Iran. I doubt that Shias will endanger mecca and medina in anyway. So by jumping into sectarian wars Pakistan will only make troubles for itself internally and hence giving india another base in Iran for making trouble in Balochistan.

Jalal | 9 years ago | Reply @M.Babar:

Yes! Makkah And Madina are Our Holy Places …Its our Duty to protect them

Protect from whom? Yemenies are Muslim too.

Jalal | 9 years ago | Reply Its Saudi Arabia that has attacked Yemen, not the other way round.

syed &; syed | 9 years ago | Reply Please NS do not commit Pakistan ta save your interest in Saudi Arabia where you had passed 10 years of life and created business interests .

Bundu Khan | 9 years ago | Reply @I am a Khan: when Pakistan supports America, then why not Saudi Arabia? Pakistan supported American interests in PAKISTAN not in America. Pakistan and Pakistanis will pray for Saudi Arabia. My God give them courage Saudis to fight a real war rather than fighting proxy wars in OTHER countries - AMEEN.

Khan | 9 years ago | Reply Saudi Arabia is not in danger, their absolute control over Yemen is in danger.

Haider | 9 years ago | Reply Its a duty of every Muslim to protect Holy Places Makkah and Madinah

Ch. Allah Daad | 9 years ago | Reply Its our duty to help Saudi Arabia during hard times as it has helped us several times in the past.

woody | 9 years ago | Reply @Rex Minor:

Hutis are no match for the Saudi army and will return to their bases as soon as there is governance in the country without the presence of the yankee army.

Hutis may be no match for Saudi's - but the Saudis don't think so. Implying that the Hutis are on the offensive only because of USA presence is rubbish - the USA presence has been limited to a tiny special forces unit and drones and neither have targeted the Hutis. This is a classic Sunni/Shia fight and the USA doesn't have any involvement.

khan | 9 years ago | Reply @Adnan Siddiqi: you have no brains, why don't you move to saudi. none of our business to get entangled in others mess. we have paid enough price for afghanistan.

Gram Massla | 9 years ago | Reply War in Yemen may signal the end of the Obama initiative with Iran.The fault lines are being drawn in the house of sand. On the one side arraigned, like pieces on a chess board, is the US and the West, Israel, Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states, and now Pakistan. On the other side is Iran, with Russia, China, Iraq, Syria and, quite possibly, India. The joker in this pack is China. Without China's support Iran will be dust. With China's support we will be witness to a shifting re-arrangements of alliances. The world is lining up for another round of conflict. The deaths will be borne by the people of the Middle East while profits will be reaped by the owners of the ordinance factories.

hellodrsoul | 9 years ago | Reply It's not shia-sunni issue. Rebels are trying to throw out a legitimate govt and the legitimate govt has appealed for help. Does anyone here opposing the entry of Pakistan into the fight know why these tribesmen have raised arms against the govt of Yemen. could they be justified? God forbid if the same occurs in Pakistan, what ll you feel if the world refuse to help.

usman777 | 9 years ago | Reply Pakistan should tread carefully and show true Islamic leadership. Protect Saudis and Gulf states to maintain its leadership role in the Islamic bloc. Keep actual boots out of Yemen if possible. Keep Iran informed of policy. Attempt genuine reconciliation between Iran and Saudi Arabia. Become a key intermediary between the two major forces of Islam.

Anon | 9 years ago | Reply O and btw... guess who else is keen to help out in this "noble" mission... our best friend Israel!

Saleem | 9 years ago | Reply I, as a Pakistani, is an avowed believer that Pakis have Saudi blood in their veins. (Remember Mohammed Bin Qasim.) Unfortunately, we are stuck here in South Asia, and I wish we could take our dhari (Pak surzameen) back to Saudi. However, I agree with our PM that Pakis will no stone unturned to defend our brothers in Saudi Arabia even at the cost of aggravating our Persian brothers. Pak army, the best in the world, can accomplish wonders anywhere in the world.

Anon | 9 years ago | Reply @Adnan Siddiqi: And anybody opposing using the Pakistan army as a mercenary force should move to Iran? And is an Irani or Indian agent? Brilliant reasoning, did you learn it from the Pervez Rashid school of logic?

Adnan Siddiqi | 9 years ago | Reply The liberals who until yesterday were chanting "Pak Army Ko Salam" are today calling it Rent-a-Army. Ironic ain't it?

muhammad ahmed khan | 9 years ago | Reply Anther job opening and our state is the best candidate !! hands-on experience, qualification, skills, loyalty, you name it guys.

Anon | 9 years ago | Reply @Adnan Siddiqi: If the army making all the decisions, why are we paying for VIP treatment of Mr.Nawaz and his entire extended family? Lets politely request he goes home and handles the multiple businesses his family has their fingers in and stops burdening the exchequer. After all, if the army is running the country, they may as well take responsibility for it as well.... Lets be honest, Nawaz is beholden to the Saudis. They (like everyone else in the world) were not obliging the PM for so many years out of the sheer goodness of their hearts. They knew he'd be a convenient instrument some time in the future. Now they have come to collect their pound of flesh. Remember the "gift" of 1.5 bn dollars that allowed Mr. Dar to claim victory over the dollar! This is the price of that gift as well as the many other "favours" the Saudis have done Mr. Sharif.

jiyala | 9 years ago | Reply A big resounding NO. Don't be Saudi Arab's slave and look out for your own interest for once.

Khurram Noorani | 9 years ago | Reply Now Pakistan will send their Rent-An-Army to help Saudis, this is how we'd pay back the gift of $1.5bn received last year

just_someone | 9 years ago | Reply Oh Bhai Sahib!! Kia ho gia hai??? We already have an immense amount of stuff to deal with, dont add to our list!

ayesha | 9 years ago | Reply excuse me ! this is yahudi arabia which attacked yemen not yemenis atacked the najdis. and we are dying to express solidarity with the invaders ? khula tezad ?

I am a Khan | 9 years ago | Reply @Parvez: when Pakistan supports America, then why not Saudi Arabia?

Naseer | 9 years ago | Reply This is not our war. We have paid a lot and still paying for getting involved in Afghanistan. PAK Army, please stay out of this conflict.

M.Babar | 9 years ago | Reply @Parvez you have a lack of knowledge and you are way too negative Saudi Arabia and four other Gulf states, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, announced earlier a decision to “answer the call of President Hadi to protect Yemen and his people from the aggression of the Huthi militia.” (Express Tribune)

Rex Minor | 9 years ago | Reply The big brother of Hutis is the Iranian republican guards who are ready to cross over into Baluchistan and the gwadar sea port. Pakistan military should not cross lines against the Shia Iran! Hutis are no match for the Saudi army and will return to their bases as soon as there is governance in the country without the presence of the yankee army. Pakistan has the defense treaty with Saudi Arabia but not to support Saudi monarch intervention in independent middle easter countries. Rex Minor

sabi | 9 years ago | Reply Yes If Pakistan has to be acknowledged as leader in Islamic block it has to come forward and help Islamic block get rid of rebels using religion as tool for their ulterior motives. Do it with full confidence no ifs and buts.Islamic block need Pakistan very badly.Government must not be black mailed by so called pseudo intellectuals.

Adnan Siddiqi | 9 years ago | Reply Excellent decision. Whoever has any objection to placing Pakistan Army at the disposal of Saudi Arabia should move immediately to Iran. The only people who are splitting their hair right now belong to the Indian and Iranian lobbies. Buzz off and get a life. @Anon, It is said that when operation Zarb-e-Azb was launched, it was unilateral decision taken by Army to safeguard Pakistan's interest and the action was taken against the wishes of Nawaz Sharif. When the crackdown started in Karachi, it was again opined that this action was taken solely by the Army against the wishes of the PM. Now then, how come Nawaz Sharif's debt would be paid by the nation to House of Sauds? Are you saying that right now Army is as innocent as a Saint and this decision was taken by Nawaz Sharif alone or for that matter if Nawaz Sharif even had any say in this matter? Please start making some sense for a change.

M.Babar | 9 years ago | Reply Yes! Makkah And Madina are Our Holy Places ...Its our Duty to protect them

Hatim | 9 years ago | Reply What territorial integrity? The Saudi monarchy has occupied multiple nations by force.

Salman Hussen | 9 years ago | Reply Very well decided by Prime Minister....

Jawan | 9 years ago | Reply No need for Pakistan to join any coalition. Although we should be prepared to take over Mecca and Medina if/when the Arabs get their backsides kicked.

Anon | 9 years ago | Reply And now the country will collectively pay Nawaz's debts to the house of saud...

Parvez | 9 years ago | Reply The way I read the news was....Saudi Arabia attacked Yemen.....and now we are preparing to support Saudi Arabia......does that make diplomatic sense ??

FireCracker | 9 years ago | Reply Of course! Our mercenary army is ready to fight wars at places that has nothing to do with us.

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