PM summons in-camera meeting on Yemen today

Seeks consensus on resolution draft presented in joint session

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has summoned a meeting on Friday (today) of parliamentary leaders of various political parties to give them an in-camera briefing on the Yemen conflict and develop a consensus on the resolution draft presented in the joint session of parliament, sources privy to the development told The Express Tribune.

The need for Pakistan to act has increased after the Iranian foreign minister’s recent visit, which has proved that the two countries are not on the same page on the Yemen issue. Iran wants to form an alliance with Turkey and Pakistan against Saudi Arabia’s coalition of more than 10 countries. However, the oil-rich kingdom wants Turkey and Pakistan on its side.

Briefing

PML-Q General Secretary Mushahid Hussain said PM Nawaz has invited parliamentary leaders at 10am to discuss winding up the joint session.

Sources at the PM House said the premier had held a consultative meeting with senior party leadership and they have decided to call an in-camera briefing of parliamentary leaders. Aided by his adviser on foreign affairs Sartaj Aziz, PM Nawaz would brief the political leaders on the Yemen war and seek to develop consensus on the draft of the resolution.

Sources claimed that if the government failed to develop consensus, then the PM would only deliver his speech at the joint session, saying the government would make an appropriate decision consistent with the sentiments of the political leaders and Saudi Arabia’s wishes.

Requests

Iran is currently standing alone against the Saudi-led coalition and it seeks an alliance of its own either for “symbolic reconciliation or to send a message”, said a source.

He said that through another regional alliance, Iran sought resolution of the Yemen issue with the possible intervention of a committee comprising Islamic countries, including Pakistan and Turkey.

Iran has offered Pakistan and Turkey to move forward for peace via the committee, in which Saudi Arabia and Yemen could also sit together and discuss the issue. Sources said Pakistan and Turkey put forward the kingdom’s two major demands before Iran: talks will be held on Saudi Arabia’s terms and Iran must stop participating in the conflict.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 10^th, 2015.