Saudi request over Yemen intervention being evaluated: FO

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Office spokeswoman Tasneem Aslam said on Thursday that Saudi Arabia has contacted Pakistan over the situation in Yemen and this was being evaluated.

Saudi Arabia and a coalition of regional allies launched air strikes against Huthi rebels in Yemen, the start of a military operation to protect the government.

The FO spokeswoman told reporters during the weekly news briefing that no decision had been taken to close Pakistan’s Embassy in Yemen.

When asked about Saudi Arabia’s request for military assistance from Pakistan, Aslam confirmed that the request had been made and was being evaluated.

On the issue of Kashmir, the FO spokeswoman said people in Occupied Kashmir were the subject of Indian oppression and were not being allowed to express their emotions and feelings.

In response to a question regarding non-facilitation of visas by Indian authorities to the parents of five victims of Samjhautha Express terrorist attack, to visit the graves of their children, Aslam said that the parents have been given visas but not to the place where their children are buried.

She went on to say that their Mission in New Delhi is making efforts with the Indian Government to facilitate the parents' visit to their children’s graves.

She further said while some of the terrorists involved in the attack roam free, the parents are denied the permission to visit the graves of their children, adding that the bereaved Pakistani families are still awaiting justice.