Pakistan calls upon UN, OIC to help find political solution for Yemen crisis

High-level huddle renews commitment to 'support KSA's sovereignty'; sources say decision to send troops already...

ISLAMABAD: Reiterating Pakistan's commitment to support the "sovereignty and territorial integrity of Saudi Arabia", a high-level meeting among civil and military leaders called upon international organisations, such as the United Nations and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), to play a constructive role in finding a political solution for the crisis in Yemen.

According to a statement released by the PM House on Monday, the meeting reviewed the current situation in Yemen and concluded with a commitment to supporting the “sovereignty and territorial integrity of Saudi Arabia in accordance with the aspirations of the people of Pakistan”.

“In the same context, and to facilitate early resolution of the crisis and to promote peace and unity of the Muslim Ummah, the Prime Minister would be contacting the leadership of brotherly countries,” the press release stated.

On the other hand, sources told The Express Tribune that Saudi Arabia's request of troops would be honoured and compiled with, in letter and spirit.

"We can not say no outright to Saudi Arabia as we have religious, socially and economical relations not only with Saudi Arabia but also with other Gulf states," a source said.

Sources added that the decision has, in fact, already been made to support Saudi Arabia, and that the army chief's visit to Saudi Arabia in February 2014, Saudi King Salman's visit to Pakistan, the premier visit to Saudi Arabia, and the Emir of Qatar's visit were all a chain of events with the same objective -- how to support the Kingdom and join gulf forces in case the situation in Yemen worsens.

Further, sources said that the civil-military leadership would announce the government's decision to send troops in an all-parties conference, which might be convened in the coming days.

Meanwhile,  quoting a senior government official, Reuters reported that Pakistan would send troops to Saudi Arabia to join the coalition against Yemeni Houthi rebels. "We have already pledged full support to Saudi Arabia in its operation against rebels and will join the coalition," the official said.

However, a senior government official, while speaking to The Express Tribune, denied the development, saying no such decision has yet been made.

Earlier, sources said the high-level meeting was presided by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, and army chief General Raheel Sharif and Inter-Services Intelligence chief Rizwan Akhtar are in attendance.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and the prime minister’s top aide Sartaj Aziz, who are scheduled to visit Saudi Arabia in the next few days, were also in attendance.

Sources confirmed that the visit of the Pakistani high-level delegation to Riyadh has been postponed because of the ongoing consultations.

The delegation, to be led by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and foreign policy chief Sartaj Aziz, was due to leave either on Monday or in the next few days, security officials told Reuters.

"There can be no decision (on joining the military campaign) before the delegation's visit," one official said.

He declined to comment about their duties and it was not immediately clear what kind of military support Saudi Arabia was seeking.

"Saudi Arabia had always helped Pakistan like an elder brother," Asif told a seminar in Lahore.

Read: Yemen turmoil: No decision on joining Saudi-led coalition, says Asif

"Pakistan will extend all support to Saudi Arabia if the country's security is threatened."

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, in a telephone call with Saudi King Salman on Saturday offered "all potentials of the Pakistan army", media quoted the Saudi Press Agency as saying.

Read: Nawaz has ensured 'all potentials of Pakistan Army' to Kingdom: Saudi press agency

The delegation is going to Riyadh to access the current situation in Yemen in order to decide as to what extent Pakistan can cooperate with Saudi Arabia.

The civil-military leadership in an emergency huddle last week concluded that any threat to Saudi Arabia’s territorial integrity would evoke a strong response from Pakistan.

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However, officials are insisting that reports claiming Pakistan committed troops for the military alliance are speculative.

Sources said Pakistan may provide all the necessary support to Saudi Arabia for fighting the rebels but it may not send boots on the ground in Yemen due to its negative fallout.

Evacuation underway

Earlier, the government evacuated about 500 Pakistanis by plane from Yemen on Sunday during a brief pause in air strikes by the Saudi-led military coalition against Houthi rebels, a Saudi military spokesman said.

Read: Homecoming: Relief and joy as 503 Pakistanis return

He said there were already around 750-800 Pakistani servicemen in Saudi Arabia but none were combat troops.

Read: Yemen conundrum: Govt weighs options on troop deployment in KSA

PPP in touch with other parties to convene APC

Meanwhile, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) is getting in touch with other parties to convene an All Parties Conference (APC) to take a decision on the situation in Yemen, PPP Punjab President Mian Manzoor Ahmed Wattoo announced.

The decision of the APC will be reflective of the aspirations of the people, as well as in the interest of the unity of the Muslim world, Wattoo told media persons after his meeting with Iranian Counsel General Muhammad Hussain Bani Asadi in Lahore.