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Thursday March 28, 2024

MPs for all-out Pak support to defend Saudi Arabia’s integrity, security

ISLAMABAD: Majority of parliamentarians who took part in debate on Middle East situation at joint sitting of Parliament called upon the government to extend all-out support to Kingdom of Saudi Arabia which has supported Pakistan in difficult times.At the same time, the members, particularly those from opposition benches, observed that

By our correspondents
April 10, 2015
ISLAMABAD: Majority of parliamentarians who took part in debate on Middle East situation at joint sitting of Parliament called upon the government to extend all-out support to Kingdom of Saudi Arabia which has supported Pakistan in difficult times.
At the same time, the members, particularly those from opposition benches, observed that Pakistan should play a leading role in reaching a peaceful solution in the Middle East conflict and the Muslim Ummah should be aware of conspiracies against Islamic countries.
As the joint sitting of two houses completed four days of debate, it is expected that Parliament would adopt a resolution on Friday (today) with regard to situation in Middle East and Pakistan’s role in it.
The government and opposition have prepared two separate drafts which would be given shape of a final resolution on Friday for passage by the joint sitting.There were not two opinions that Pakistan should move ahead for defending the Kingdom if there is any threat to its territorial integrity and security.
During the course of serious speeches on Thursday, Mahmood Khan Achakzai of Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party created some interesting situation in the house when he offered to gift his ‘Shawl (chadar)’ to PTI chairman Imran Khan but with a condition. “I will gift my chadar to Imran if his party win bye-elections in Karachi,” Achakzai said.
Shaikh Rashid Ahmad who managed to get time for speech on the fourth day said that Pakistan should not indulge into the war in Yemen.
He said Pakistan should play its role for bringing the warring factions in Yemen to negotiation table but categorically stated that if there is any question of sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom, then Pakistan should come forward to defend it. “The views of all the Pakistanis about Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are clear and unanimous,” he said.
Half a dozen PML-N members sitting on back benches continued slogans against Shaikh Rashid during his speech. “Mango, Mango - Mafi Mango,” they shouted.Perhaps, the PML-N members were asking Shaikh Rashid to apologise to Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq for his outside the Parliament remarks against him.
Sahibzada Tariqullah of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) maintained that Pakistan should play a leading role for rest of the Muslim Ummah in defusing Middle East tension.
He thanked the prime minister for convening the joint sitting to take the Parliament into confidence and seek guidance with regard to the sensitive issue. Taking part in debate, Mahmood Khan Achakzai said that Yemen issue is very sensitive and is linked with the politics of the region.
He said the decision about Yemen should be made keeping in view Pakistan’s interests while the role of Pakistan, Turkey and Iran is very important for the solution of the issue.Senator Naseema Ehsan said that Pakistan should not be a party to the conflict; rather, it should play a role of mediator to resolve the issue.
She said that there was need to bring Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Iran on table so that the issue could be resolved peacefully. This is a fact the real conflict is between Iran and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, therefore there is need to bring them closer in order foil conspiracies against Muslim Ummah, she said adding that Muslim countries should also play their due role to remove differences between the Kingdom and Iran.
Senator Prof Sajid Mir said Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was a close friend of Pakistan and always helped it in difficult times and there should no hesitation in extending all-out support to the Kingdom. “We must remember services of Saudi rulers for Harmain Sharifain and support to Pakistan, whether it is 1965 or 1971 wars or support to us after 1998 nuclear tests,” he said.
He said it was Pakistan’s responsibility to cooperate with Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and play due role to defend it if there is any threat to its geographical boundaries.Aftab Khan Sherpao said calling joint sitting of two houses on such issues would strengthen the Parliament and democracy.
He suggested that instead of military intervention, the best way of achieving peace in Middle East would be to explore diplomatic channels.Senator Muhammad Saleh Shah said that Pakistan should play its role for ending the war and bringing peace in the region adding that practical steps should be taken for holding dialogue.
Senator Chaudhary Tanvir Khan said that a conference of the Muslim countries should be convened to seek solution of the Yemen crisis and other issues being faced by the Muslim Ummah.
Senator Abdul Rehman Malik regretted that the Organisation of Muslim Countries (OIC) was not playing its due role in the present situation. He suggested the government to write a letter to the OIC asking it to make efforts in reaching a peaceful solution to the situation.He said the PPP would also send its delegations to the Muslim countries in order to intensify efforts for truce in Yemen.