KARACHI: Opposition parties called upon the government on Wednesday to convene an all-party conference and a joint session of parliament to formulate a policy to handle the crisis in Yemen.

The policy, they said, should reflect the will of the people and aim at resolving the crisis.

In a joint statement issued after a conference organised by the PPP at Bilawal House, the parties expressed grave concern over the situation in Yemen and its implications for Pakistan and the region.

The conference was presided over by PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari and attended, among others, by ANP President Asfandyar Wali Khan, MQM leader Farooq Sattar, Rashid Mahmood Soomro of JUI-F and Israrullah Zehri of the BNP (Awami).

The leaders said the stability and integrity of the Gulf and countries in the Middle East was of paramount importance for the region and, therefore, the crisis should be resolved through dialogue.

They said the centrality of Saudi Arabia was pivotal for the Muslim world and “our response should reflect this”.

The conference warned that the gravity of the situation required that no individual should take a decision without taking political parties and other stakeholders on board.

Talking to newsmen, Mr Zardari said there was a threat to the stability of the region because of the Yemen crisis and “Pakistan ought to go to any extent to help resolve the issue”.

Answering a question, he said that so far the government had not consulted him over the issue. People’s point of view should also be taken, he added.

The PPP co-chairman urged the government to evolve a long-term policy to improve the situation in the Middle East.

He said he wanted to take the PTI along and hold consultations with Imran Khan on every issue, but “it depends on the PTI leadership to decide whether to join us or not”.

ANP chief Asfandyar Wali said that had there been a general in power he would have taken a decision right away, but politicians consulted each other, studied the situation and formulate a policy after consultations.

Dr Farooq Sattar said the Yemen crisis concerned the entire Muslim world and, therefore, meaningful efforts should be made for durable peace in the region.

He termed the PPP move for consultations with other parties a positive step.

PPP’s Senior Vice President Sherry Rehman, Senator Farhatullah Babar, Senator Shahi Syed and Younus Buneri of the ANP, MQM leader Sardar Ahmad, JUI-F’s Qari Usman and Maulana Abdul Qayum, and Syed Ehsan Shah and Akbar Bugti of the BNP-A also attended the conference.

Published in Dawn, April 2nd, 2015

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