PM to deliver 'statement' on Yemen conflict this evening
MATEEN HAIDER — UPDATED 3 minutes ago
Nawaz Sharif has called an urgent meeting of civil military leaders at PM House later on Monday afternoon. AFP/File
ISLAMABAD: A short statement issued by the prime minister's house today said that Nawaz Sharif will make an "important statement" on Pakistan's position in the escalating crisis in Yemen.
"The PM would deliver an important statement on Yemen-Saudi Arabia issue at 6:30 pm today at the PM house," the statement issued by the PM House said.
The PM's statement is expected to come during a short broadcast on state television.
Tension between Pakistan and long-time ally Saudi Arabia has risen in the past week, as Parliament unanimously passed a resolution urging the Sharif-led government to keep a neutral stance in the Yemen conflict.
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Arab frustration with Pakistan
Pakistan's Parliament on Friday passed a resolution backing the government's commitment to protect Saudi Arabia's territory from Houthi rebels, but declined Riyadh's request for Pakistani troops, ships and warplanes inside Yemen.
Expressing “unequivocal support for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia”, the resolution that the lawmakers agreed upon stated that “in case of any violation of its territorial integrity or any threat to Haramain Sharifain, Pakistan will stand shoulder to shoulder with Saudi Arabia and its people”.
Anwar Gargash, the United Arab Emirate's (UAE) minister of state for foreign affairs, lashed out at Pakistan's vote Saturday, terming it “contradictory and dangerous and unexpected”, and accusing Islamabad of siding with Iran, which is accused of backing Houthi rebels.
Gargash added that Pakistan's stand would come at a "high cost."
But Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan hit back on Sunday night in an unusually strongly-worded statement, accusing the UAE of “levelling threats.”
“This is not only ironic but a thought-provoking moment that a minister of UAE is hurling threats at Pakistan. The statement of the UAE minister is in stark violation of all diplomatic norms prevalent according to the principals of international relations,” Nisar said.
Civil-military leadership huddle ahead of PM address
PM Nawaz Sharif has called an urgent meeting of civil military leaders at PM House later on Monday afternoon.
PM House sources confirmed the meeting and said an important decision is expected on the prevailing Yemen crisis and Pakistan's possible role in the conflict.
A final announcement is expected to be made by Nawaz himself on state television this evening.
