Pakistan said on Monday that its close ally Saudi Arabia has asked for ground troops, warships and fighter planes to oust the Shia rebels in war-torn Yemen as lawmakers debate whether the country should join the conflict which has sectarian and domestic implications.
The special joint session of parliament has been convened as pressure is mounting on Islamabad to act swiftly in support of Riyadh. At the start of the session, defence minister Khawaja Asif moved a motion to discuss the crisis and whether to join Saudi forces’ military operations against the Shia Houthi rebels in Yemen.
The minister in his policy statement said that Pakistan wanted peaceful solution of the Yemen issue through political and diplomatic means.“PM Nawaz Sharif believes the subject merits in-depth discussion to help the government make the right decision on the crucial issue,” he said.
He said the prime minister is in close liaison with the neighbouring countries and has also visited Turkey in this regard and will also visit other regional countries for more consultations. “Saudi Arabia has asked for combat planes, warships and soldiers,” Asif said.
Asif also reiterated Pakistan’s stand that in case of any threat to the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Saudi Arabia, the country would come to the defence of its ally. “Pakistan attaches great importance to Saudi Arabia’s territorial integrity. We will stand with our Saudi brothers,” he said.