Many a politician and self styled analysts have suggested that Pakistan should mediate in Yemen. For a mediation to take place, the potential mediator must be requested by the parties to the conflict. Have we been approached by President Hadi or the Houthi rebels?
Supposing we are requested by both parties and we invite them to come over to Islamabad, would we not be recognising the rebels as a legitimate party in this conflict? In case we want to mediate between Iran and Saudi Arabia, we would be unrealistic again. Iran denies it is playing any role in helping the rebels. Secondly, a mediator should ideally be neutral and our credentials are largely suspect in Tehran. Our political leaders, the opposition included, are either not well informed or they are just playing to the gallery.
Ambassador (r) Javed Hafiz
Islamabad