Religio-political parties want govt to make ‘bold decisions’. PHOTO: REUTERS
A day earlier parliament passed a unanimous resolution declaring that Pakistan would stay out of the Yemen conflict.
The decision was taken after five days of deliberations over Saudi Arabia’s request for Pakistan to join the Gulf military coalition against Houthi rebels in Yemen, but the federal lawmakers advised the government against participating in the war.
They, however, endorsed the administration’s commitment to protect the kingdom’s territory if it were to come under a threat.
In a declaration issued during a conference on Saturday, the religio-political parties announced their “unflinching support” for Saudi Arabia and “readiness to sacrifice lives for the protection of Haramain and Sharifain”.
The conference – ‘Difa-e-Khadim-e-Haramain Sharifain’ (Protecting the Protector of the Noble Sanctuaries) – was organised by Jamiat Ahle Hadith and headed by PML-N Senator Prof Sajid Mir.
The religio-political leaders said parliament’s resolution was a “conspiracy to isolate Pakistan from the Muslim world”.
JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rahman said the Yemen conflict was not sectarian in nature, adding that the country was faced with a rebellion and not war.
“The world powers want to push Shias and Sunnis into a war with each other, and have adopted double standards over the Yemen issue.”
Talking about Iran-Pakistan ties, he said: “It is feared that our relations with Iran will be damaged [if we support Saudi Arabia]. If this is the case, then Iran should be asked if it has any relations with the Houthis.”
Prof Mir said Iran is our neighbour and a Muslim country so it should also reconsider its policies over the issue.
Jamaatud Dawa chief Hafiz Saeed claimed that parliament’s resolution does not represent the people’s sentiments.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 12th, 2015.
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