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PM calls joint parliamentary session to discuss Yemen situation

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has decided to call a joint session of Parliament on April 6 to take the House into confidence over any decision related to the developing security situation in Yemen and the Middle East.

The prime minister chaired a high-level consultative meeting today to review the developing situation in war-torn Yemen and the Middle East, and Saudi

By GEO ENGLISH
April 02, 2015
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has decided to call a joint session of Parliament on April 6 to take the House into confidence over any decision related to the developing security situation in Yemen and the Middle East.

The prime minister chaired a high-level consultative meeting today to review the developing situation in war-torn Yemen and the Middle East, and Saudi Arabia’s request for military assistance in the ongoing operation against Houthi rebels.

“Pakistan condemns actions by non state actors in Yemen to overthrow a legitimate government and calls upon the warring factions to resolve all issues peacefully,” said an official press statement following the meeting.

“The Prime Minister is advising the President to convene a joint session of Parliament on Monday (April 6) to discuss this matter of national importance,” said the statement.

Speaking at the meeting, Sharif said that Pakistan will respond strongly in the case of any security threat to Saudi Arabia.

“Any isolation of Saudi Arabia s territorial integrity would evoke a strong response from Pakistan,” said the statement.

Pakistan will defend Saudi Arabia's territorial sovereignty at any cost, he said, adding that Pakistan's national interest would be the top priority before any decision is made.

The prime minister also stressed the need for a peaceful resolution of the crisis and promoting the unity of Muslim Ummah, said the press statement.

The key meeting was attended by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Army Chief General Raheel Sharif, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, PM’s Advisor on Foreign Affair Sartaj Aziz, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman, Acting Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Khan Hasham bin Saddique, and officials of the Foreign Office, among others.

The defence minister – who led the Pakistani delegation to Riyadh where he met held meetings with high-ranking Saudi officials including his counterpart –briefed the prime minister about his visit.

Upon his return from Riyadh on Wednesday, the defence minister said the Pakistani delegation held positive talks with Saudi Defence Minister Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz and other senior officials on the situation in Yemen.

In a twitter message after completing the two-day visit to Saudi Arabia, he said the visit helped the delegation to have better understanding of the conflict in Yemen and the concerns of the Saudi brethren.

The Minister said the report about the visit is being submitted to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif soon.

During the meeting today, the prime minister also reviewed progress in the evacuation process of Pakistani citizens stranded in the war-stricken country.