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.