Yemen war participation: Pakistan can make its own decision, says US

As lawmakers continue to debate whether to join the Saudi-led coalition against Houthi rebels in Yemen, the United States said on Thursday Pakistan “can make its own decision and it is not for us to decide”. According to US State Department Deputy spokesperson Marie Harf, every country can make their own decisions about “if and how they participate in the Saudi-led military operation”. “We have said that we are supporting them (Pakistan) logistically, as I said, with munitions and other arms as well,” Harf added. Responding to a question regarding US approving Pakistan’s request for arms worth $1 billion, she said the State Department did approve a possible foreign military sale for helicopters and associated equipment, parts, and support for an estimated cost of about $952 million.

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