‘Parliamentary resolution a plot to isolate Pakistan’

ISLAMABAD: The participants of the ‘Difa-e-Harmain Conference’ held here on Saturday said that the parliamentary resolution on the Yemen crisis urging Pakistan to stay neutral and play a mediatory role to resolve the Middle East issue was a conspiracy to isolate Pakistan in the comity of nations and Pakistan should decide on sending troops to Saudi Arabia.
The conference called upon the Pakistan government to announce categorical support to Saudi Arabia and dispatch its troops and weapons to the brotherly country.
Saudi Adviser on Religious Affairs Abdul Aziz Al Amar, Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousuf, Minister of State for Religious Affairs Pir Aminul Hasnat, Jamiat Ahle Hadees (JAH) chief Senator Professor Sajid Mir, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Jamaatud Daawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Muhammad Saeed, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Secretary General Liaquat Baloch and other religious leaders attended the conference.
In a declaration passed at the end of the conference organised by the JAH, the participants supported the Saudis against the Houthis and demanded that the Pakistan government should also come up to the expectations of Saudi Arabia. “There can be no compromise on the defence of the Harmain Sharifain and Saudi Arabia is also a trustworthy friend of Pakistan,” the declaration said.
The declaration said that by asking for assistance from Pakistan, the Saudi government had reposed its confidence in its friend. “Saudi Arabia had always helped Pakistan and we should also extend full cooperation to it,” the participants of the conference said.
The conference paid rich tributes to Saudi Arabia for its contribution to the welfare of the Muslim Ummah and particularly Pakistan in all the spheres. The conference observed that the powers which had been supporting the Houthi rebels were bent upon playing havoc with the unity of the Muslim Ummah.
Earlier, Saudi Adviser on Religious Affairs Abdul Aziz Al Amar said the Houthis ended a legitimate government in Yemen and spread anarchy in the country and then they expressed their nefarious designs against Saudi Arabia. “We sought support from Pakistan with which we have special relations,” he said adding that Pakistan was Saudis’ second home. He re-affirmed the pledge that action against Houthis would continue till objective of peace was achieved in Yemen.
During speeches, the audience continued raising slogans in support of Saudi Arabia.
Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousuf said that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia joined together with strong relations which could not be weakened.
He said that all the political parties attending the joint sitting of the Parliament through a resolution had affirmed the commitment that Pakistan would play a leading role in safeguarding Saudi Arabia.
Maulana Fazlur Rehman said that Pakistan’s support to Saudi Arabia should be unconditional, adding that the Middle East conflict should not be viewed in perspective of Shia-Sunni differences. “When the US forces attacked Afghanistan and took action against Taliban and al-Qaeda, nobody said that Sunnis were being targeted,” the JUI-F chief said.
He questioned as to why support to Saudi Arabia was being seen as an action against Shias. “If it is true, Iran should tell as to why it is supporting Houthis in Yemen,” he said.
Senator Professor Sajid Mir said that Pakistan should openly become a party to Saudi Arabia and announce full support to the friendly country.
He said that international conspiracies were being hatched to target Saudi Arabia, therefore, Pakistan should send its troops for its defence.
Hafiz Muhammad Saeed said that the resolution passed by joint sitting of Parliament was not the voice of the Pakistani nation and Pakistan should stand with Saudi Arabia. “We cannot be apart in the conflict and should openly support Saudi Arabia,” he maintained.
He pointed out that defence of Harmain Sharifain would be an honour for every Pakistani and Pakistan should assure Saudi government of every kind of support.
Maulana Fazlur Rehman Khalil said there were conspiracies behind unrest and anarchy being spread in countries situated around Saudi borders. “The only way to foil such conspiracies is to forge unity among the Muslim Ummah,” he said adding that Pakistan should stand by its friend in difficult times.
Liaquat Baloch said the Pakistani nation was standing with Saudi Arabia and was ready to render every sacrifice for the defence of Harmain Sharifain.