Pakistan, Iran for Yemen solution through talks

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Iran on Tuesday called for all the stakeholders in the Yemeni crisis to display greater flexibility to end the present fighting by diplomatic channels and for moving towards a dialogue by using ‘foresight’ and ‘Islamic wisdom”.
Pakistan says that the consensus emerging from its parliament so far indicates that Pakistan’s involvement in the civil war in Yemen is not advisable.The call to end the fighting in Yemen and, if need be, get the United Nations involved was made in a joint press conference by the visiting Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif and Adviser on Foreign Policy Sartaj Aziz after delegation level talks at the Foreign Office.
Zarif flew in Wednesday on a two-day trip from Oman and was expected to meet Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Thursday (today) before flying home. He updated Sartaj Aziz on the talks that Iran and Turkey held on Tuesday in Tehran. A consensus is being evolved where Pakistan, Turkey and Iran are all pushing for an end to the bloodshed in Yemen and for the start of an intra-Yemen dialogue facilitated by these three countries.
Zarif, when questioned if Iran was supporting the Houthis inside Yemen, replied without naming the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, “We are not the ones bombarding hospitals, factories and bridges inside Yemen. We want to stop this and want to use our influence for a ceasefire followed by humanitarian assistance.”
He said that Iran’s four-point formula to Turkey, Oman, Pakistan and what he would be putting before Nawaz Sharif would be that without any pre-conditions, there should be an immediate ceasefire, humanitarian assistance should be provided and an intra-Yemini dialogue should start, leading to a consensus government.
Of crucial importance, said Zarif, was the fact that al-Qaeda and Daish had already got inside Yemen and were fighting for control.Sartaj Aziz made it clear that there was a strong commitment in Pakistan to defend the sovereignty of the Kingdom in the face of a threat.
“We support a peaceful dialogue and express solidarity with Saudi Arabia. A more comprehensive resolution on facilitating an intra-Yemeni dialogue, which is also approved by the United Nations, can help in finding a political settlement to this tragic situation,” he added.
Earlier, both sides also discussed the killing of the eight Iranian border guards on the Pak-Iran border and both sides pushed for border management and ways to avoid such incidents in future.
“We must work together on this issue which was a very tragic incident and appreciate the condolence from Pakistan,” said Zarif.Sartiaj Aziz also called for strong institutional mechanism for border management.
Earlier, the Iranian Foreign Ministry summoned Pakistan’s Charge d’ Affairs Muhammad Zeeshan and protested over the killing of eight Iranian border security guards.Spokesperson at the Foreign Office in a statement said, “We have received the report of killing of eight border guards of Iran in Negour region, Iran, on 06 April 2015. We strongly condemn this act of terrorism.” She said the Government of Pakistan conveys sincere condolences to members of the bereaved families and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
The FO said authorities were investigating the incident and asked Iran for any proof that the militants had crossed over into Pakistan following the attack.“The concerned security agencies of Pakistan are actively investigating this incident, which took place on Iran’s territory, and have asked the Iranian authorities to share with us any evidence that they have.
“In case the culprits have crossed over to Pakistan after committing the crime on Iran’s soil, they will be apprehended and brought to justice,” she added.
APP adds: Sartaj Aziz said both the leaders also agreed on the need for serious efforts to promote greater unity in the Muslim Ummah.
Welcoming the Framework Agreement signed recently between Iran and P5+1, he said it was a welcome development and a comprehensive agreement, which later will be helpful in expanding economic and trade relations between Pakistan and Iran.
The adviser said both the countries also agreed that a peaceful, stable and united Afghanistan was vital for regional peace and stability. “We will continue to support the reconciliation process, which is Afghan-led and Afghan-owned,” said Aziz.
Aziz said both the leaders also agreed to join hands for fighting terrorism and extremism and enhanced cooperation in this regard. While responding to a question about the expected outcome of the joint session of parliament on the Yemen issue, he said the broad consensus in parliament is that Pakistan’s involvement in the internal civil war situation will not be advisable.
He said majority of the parliamentarians were of the view that Pakistan should not participate in any offensive in Yemen. He said the parliamentarians were of the view that Pakistan should try to mediate, influence and facilitate some kind of peaceful dialogue.
He said as stated by the prime minister, the government would fully respect in letter and spirit the outcome and recommendations of parliament on the Yemeni situation.Referring to international efforts to resolve the Yemeni crisis, he said Russia and Jordan had presented resolutions on the Yemen crisis at the UN.
Regarding the Jordanian resolution, he said it called for an embargo on arms supplies, condemnation of efforts for removal of the legitimate government of Yemen through force and some kind of disarmament with the help of the United Nations representation.