Opposition demands joint session of Parliament, APC on Yemen issue

Meeting expresses desire to resolve the present crises in Yemen through dialogue and negotiations

KARACHI: Opposition parties have demanded the government to convene a joint session of Parliament, as well as an All Parties Conference (APC) to decide Pakistan’s policy on the ongoing conflict in Yemen, and propose a way forward.

The demand came during a meeting on the Yemen issue and its implications for Pakistan, presided by Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari at the Bilawal House on Wednesday.

“The participants expressed grave concerns over the situation in Middle East, and its effects on the region and Pakistan,” said PPP vice president Sherry Rehman, while reading the joint communiqué of the meeting.

Read: Entering the Yemen fray: Nawaz should ask Parliament about sending troops, says Shah

Rehman said the participants expressed desire to resolve the present crises in Yemen through dialogue and negotiations.

The meeting expressed firm belief that the centrality of Saudi Arabia was pivotal for Muslims of the world and that Pakistan's response should reflect this belief.

The leaders also demanded that no individual should take any unilateral decision, without broad based discussion and consultation with all parties and stakeholders.

Muttahida Qaumi Movement leader Farooq Sattar also spoke on the occasion, and urged the incumbent government to take all parties into confidence before taking any decision.

Read: National consensus: PPP looking to hold an APC on Yemen conflict

Awami National Party chief Asfandyar Wali, Rashid Mahmood Soomro of the Jamiat Ulema Islam-Fazl and Israrullah Zehri of the BNP (Awami), among other leaders also attended the meeting.