Reports of fighter jets, naval ships sent to Yemen are incorrect: FO
High-level delegation has left for Riyadh to discuss important matters of bilateral interest with Saudi leadership
Yemeni supporters of the separatist Southern Movement stand guard at the entrance of the port in the southern city of Aden on March 29, 2015. PHOTO: AFP
ISLAMABAD:
The government on Tuesday dismissed reports that fighter jets and naval ships were taking part in the military action in Yemen against Houthi rebels.
"These reports were speculative, misleading and incorrect," said foreign office spokesperson Tasnim Aslam in a statement.
On Monday, some international media outlets including Reuters claimed that Pakistan had decided to send troops, PAF fighter jets and naval ships to Saudi Arabia.
Earlier, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was informed that a Chinese ship would be reaching Aden tomorrow (Wednesday) to evacuate 200 Pakistanis stranded from the city.
The premier was told that the evacuees will either be dropped at Djibouti or Moqalla, where about 100 Pakistanis are already residing, depending on the on-ground conditions of the area and the route that the Chinese ship is planning on taking.
Pakistan’s own naval ship that was dispatched on the directions of the prime minister, would reach Yemen on April 2 and bring the stranded people back to the country.
Further, Nawaz was also informed that there are about 75 Pakistanis still residing in Sanaa, who would either be airlifted or taken to Moqalla.
High-level delegation
A high-level Pakistani delegation has left for Riyadh to discuss important matters of bilateral interest with Saudi leadership in the wake of current crisis in Yemen.
The delegation comprising Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, PM's Advisor Sartaj Aziz and representatives of three armed forces will assess the situation, discuss modalities and timing of sending Pakistani troops to Saudi Arabia.
"It was decided that a delegation would visit Saudi Arabia today for holding discussions on the matter", an official communique issued stated.
Earlier today, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif also directed the relevant authorities to bring back stranded Pakistanis from Yemen immediately, Express News reported.
"We will evacuate stranded Pakistanis from the war-torn country as soon as possible," the premier assured while addressing a top-level meeting at PM House in Islamabad.
During the meeting, PM Nawaz was briefed on the current situation in Yemen and the status of the remaining Pakistani expats in Yemen. The meeting was attended by several federal ministers.
The prime minister was also pleased to note that the first phase of evacuation was completed in a satisfactory manner.
Read: First PIA aircraft carrying stranded Pakistanis from Yemen arrives in Karachi
PM Nawaz was told that the stranded nationals who have safely returned from Yemen appreciated the steps taken by him in the matter.
Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry in an interview said territorial integrity and sovereignty of Saudi Arabia is important for Pakistan, Radio Pakistan reported.
He said efforts are underway to bring back all Pakistanis stranded in Yemen.
The government on Tuesday dismissed reports that fighter jets and naval ships were taking part in the military action in Yemen against Houthi rebels.
"These reports were speculative, misleading and incorrect," said foreign office spokesperson Tasnim Aslam in a statement.
On Monday, some international media outlets including Reuters claimed that Pakistan had decided to send troops, PAF fighter jets and naval ships to Saudi Arabia.
Earlier, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was informed that a Chinese ship would be reaching Aden tomorrow (Wednesday) to evacuate 200 Pakistanis stranded from the city.
The premier was told that the evacuees will either be dropped at Djibouti or Moqalla, where about 100 Pakistanis are already residing, depending on the on-ground conditions of the area and the route that the Chinese ship is planning on taking.
Pakistan’s own naval ship that was dispatched on the directions of the prime minister, would reach Yemen on April 2 and bring the stranded people back to the country.
Further, Nawaz was also informed that there are about 75 Pakistanis still residing in Sanaa, who would either be airlifted or taken to Moqalla.
High-level delegation
A high-level Pakistani delegation has left for Riyadh to discuss important matters of bilateral interest with Saudi leadership in the wake of current crisis in Yemen.
The delegation comprising Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, PM's Advisor Sartaj Aziz and representatives of three armed forces will assess the situation, discuss modalities and timing of sending Pakistani troops to Saudi Arabia.
"It was decided that a delegation would visit Saudi Arabia today for holding discussions on the matter", an official communique issued stated.
Earlier today, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif also directed the relevant authorities to bring back stranded Pakistanis from Yemen immediately, Express News reported.
"We will evacuate stranded Pakistanis from the war-torn country as soon as possible," the premier assured while addressing a top-level meeting at PM House in Islamabad.
During the meeting, PM Nawaz was briefed on the current situation in Yemen and the status of the remaining Pakistani expats in Yemen. The meeting was attended by several federal ministers.
The prime minister was also pleased to note that the first phase of evacuation was completed in a satisfactory manner.
Read: First PIA aircraft carrying stranded Pakistanis from Yemen arrives in Karachi
PM Nawaz was told that the stranded nationals who have safely returned from Yemen appreciated the steps taken by him in the matter.
Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry in an interview said territorial integrity and sovereignty of Saudi Arabia is important for Pakistan, Radio Pakistan reported.
He said efforts are underway to bring back all Pakistanis stranded in Yemen.