Pakistan to help implement UNSC resolution against Yemen’s Houthis

ISLAMABAD: A high-level meeting between the Pakistan’s civil-military leadership decided on Thursday that Pakistan would fully participate in the implementation of the UNSC resolution against Yemen’s Houthis, and expressed hope that conflicting parties in Yemen resolve their differences through dialogue and consultation.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif chaired the meeting on Yemen conflict at the PM House on Thursday.

The resolution calls upon the Houthis to end the use of violence that undermines political transition in Yemen and withdraw their forces from occupied areas, including the capital Sanaa.

Along with the civilian leadership including Adviser to PM Sartaj Aziz, Punjab Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif and Special Adviser to the PM Tariq Fatemi, CJCSC General Rashad Mahmood, army chief General Raheel Sharif, Chief of Air Staff Sohail Aman, and naval chief Admiral Muhammad Zakaullah, among others attended the meeting.

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Shahbaz, who led a delegation to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, briefed the meeting about the outcome of discussions with the KSA leadership.

While the objective of the visit was to express solidarity with leadership and people of Saudi Arabia, the delegation met Prince Muhammad bin Naif, the deputy crown prince, interior minister and KSA’s foreign minister Prince Saud al Faisal.

The chief minister said he reiterated to Saudi leaders unequivocal support of Pakistan’s government and the people to their sovereignty and territorial integrity, and reaffirmed that Pakistan stood ever-ready to protect Harmain al Sharifain.

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He said the Saudi leadership appreciated PM Nawaz’s April 13 statement, and condemned the illegal overthrow of President Hadi’s legitimate government by the Houthis.

The delegation also expressed concerns on the reports of foreign support to the Houthis, noting that the UN resolution required all member states to prevent supply of arms and equipment to Houthis and their allies.