PM arrives in Turkey to discuss Yemen crisis
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ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif arrived in Ankara for an official one-day visit during which he is scheduled to meet with Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and discuss the ongoing Saudi-Yemen crisis.
Premier Sharif was received at the Ankara airport by Turkish Minister for Environment and Urbanisation.
In his pre-departure statement, the prime minister said that Pakistan believed in a peaceful resolution of the crisis and wished to promote unity among Muslim countries.
Read more: Pakistani delegation arrives in S. Arabia for talks over Yemen crisis
Adviser to the Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Syed Tariq Fatemi and Secretary Foreign Affairs Aizaz Chaudhry are accompanying the premier.
The visit was finalised during Sharif’s telephonic conversation with the Turkish president.
More on this: Nawaz assures Saudi King Salman of Pakistan Army support
Earlier this week, the government had decided to reach out to “the leadership of brotherly Muslim countries” in order to facilitate "early resolution of the crisis and promoting peace and unity in the Muslim Ummah”.
“The prime minister and the president of Turkey will exchange views on the situation relating to Yemen. They will also discuss how the two countries can be helpful in addressing the issue,” the FO had earlier said.
Explore: Pakistan will not participate in conflict that divides Muslim Ummah, says Khawaja Asif
Saudi-Yemen conflict: Where should Pakistan stand?
Read more
On DawnNews
Comments (50) Closed
Apr 03, 2015 09:33am
He did take Shehbaz?
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Apr 03, 2015 09:36am
cant they talk in telephone?
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Apr 03, 2015 09:39am
Well this is to seek a fig leaf. If Turkey were to provide even a platoon, or a marching band, Nawaz could then claim Turkish cover. Sadly for him Turkey is far too sophisticated, islamist president excepted, to get involved in something this spectacularly dumb.
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Apr 03, 2015 09:45am
Someone who has been unable to solve at home bijli,pani ,gas crisis is off to Turkey to solve others crises. I really needed a good laugh today.
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Apr 03, 2015 09:48am
are you sure he's going there to discuss crisis or maybe he is going there to get himself good business deals?......
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Apr 03, 2015 09:50am
@zubaida khan Why you are so much concern?
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Apr 03, 2015 09:54am
I wish he could take his own country issues that seriously
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Apr 03, 2015 09:57am
world tour in the name of yemen crisis with people taxes
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Apr 03, 2015 10:08am
What is there to discuss? Let the Yemenis solve their problem.
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Apr 03, 2015 10:16am
...and to look after his personal business interests. He should engage Iran and Saudia instead and try to mediate and moderate.
When was the last time this region has a true leader.
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Apr 03, 2015 10:17am
We should not give so much importance to the concern, because they were the first who recognized Israel for personal entrust, leaving behind Muslim entrust, how come they will be good for the Muslim world?
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Apr 03, 2015 10:26am
State Media constantly reports that decision of sending troops to Middle East will be taken by the Parliament. Government this decision will lead religious overt rift between Sunni and Shahi sect. According to Wikipedia, there are about ninety million shaia sect inhabits in Pakistan. Parliament will do not honor the vote of Shaia community...This is crux of matter which is going to be decided by the Pakistan Parliament.
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Apr 03, 2015 10:30am
Nawaz Sharif sure knows how to make foreign trips but the end result will base on Saudi's desire and requirements.
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Apr 03, 2015 10:34am
Pak trying hard to play leader of Muslim world who no asking to do so...
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Apr 03, 2015 10:54am
Good job. This is the way to do it consultation a at home and abroad rather than taking a foolish decision like Musharraf.
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Apr 03, 2015 10:55am
Dude, who is going to discuss the Pakistani crisis?
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Apr 03, 2015 11:05am
I think the visit is to persuade Turkey to join this Saudi War on its neighbour as Pakistan (non-Arab) will feel lonely in the coalition.
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Apr 03, 2015 11:10am
It would have been more realistic and helpful if he would have visited Iran before Turkey. Turkey's open support to Al Qaeda Linked Terrorist Groups in Syria makes pointless to ask them for their involvement in this issue. Everyone knows that their stance would be in favor of escalating the attacks on Yemen rather than for a peaceful resolution of the issue.
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Apr 03, 2015 11:30am
why not similar consultation with “the leadership of brotherly Muslim countries” on our western border?
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Apr 03, 2015 11:32am
Why didnt he do a skype call? That would have saved us some money... Or is he going there on a state sponsored business trip and giving Mr. Erdogan an opportunity to meet the PM of Pakistan?
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Apr 03, 2015 11:41am
The PM seems to be in a very desperate situation here. Stuck between economic survival and controlling the already shaky sectarian peace. There is no easy way out of this.
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Apr 03, 2015 11:46am
Only neutral and totally unbiased countries can help resolve this or any other issue / conflict. Neither Pakistan nor Turkey can be termed as any where near to be neutral ...and thus don't fit in the criteria. Turkey has in fact blasted Iran and so not understood as to why it has been selected by our PM saheb as the first one among his intention to visit Muslim countries. Our delegation to KSA was said to have been sent to know its concern and assess the situation. Iran also has its concerns, and they are in plenty, but our PM has not found it necessary to visit Iran so far. In the mean time joint session of our parliaments has been convened to meet on 6th to "discuss"what is being termed as the KSA / Yemen conflict. Without paying any attention to the concerns of our neighbour country Iran in this respect how our legislatures can "discuss" or give opinion, if any ??
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Apr 03, 2015 11:55am
God help Yemen and Saudi Arabia and ofcourse Us.The 'genius' at work
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Apr 03, 2015 11:56am
@zubaida khan why? shehbaz is the prerequisite condition of talks between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his counterpart Tayyab Ardagan. Or, you just mocking his routine?
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Apr 03, 2015 11:57am
Personally I believe we have to support KSA. Do not forget they have donated $1B recently to Pakistan.
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Apr 03, 2015 11:58am
Looks like PM saheb is busy trying to solve somebody's problem.
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Apr 03, 2015 12:14pm
Apparently it looks as Pakistani is going to establish an anti Iran coalition...
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Apr 03, 2015 12:50pm
Good start for Muslim unity.
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Apr 03, 2015 01:03pm
The joined Pak-Turkey mediation effort is the right thing to deal with the Yemeni crisis.
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Apr 03, 2015 01:29pm
Turkey and pakistan two powerful militaries. They will sort it out.
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Apr 03, 2015 01:47pm
Pakistani Government should not get involved in Saudia-led coilation which comrise of monarchies against yemeni people. Pakistan is already suffering from repercussions of suporting Taliban for toppling legitimate Afghan government. Are Saudi Arabia, Oman, U.A.E, and Bahrain who are in anti Hothis coilation are legitimate governments. Saudi Arab fears from people who may stand against its tyrinical monarchy.
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Apr 03, 2015 01:52pm
Turkish president does not represent Turkish inhabitants. He is ally of saudi Isreli Nato alliance hence asking his help is like asking the offender to intervene and resolve the mess created by them. Would he ever fairly mediate when he has been partial in Syrian and Iraq's invasion by Saudi us nato alliance in recent past. Pakistan should not at all take side of sinking boat of saudi dynasty and their allies. Yemen crisis is not the issue of Saudia. It is the crisis of Yemen inhabitants. Let them solve the issue themselves. In fact the more Saudis will intervene and interfere in internal affair of Yemen and violate international laws of sovereignty of another state they will only harm them. We are surprised why Pakistan's govt is willing to help saudi dynasty an offender of rights of Yemen inhabitants and inhabitants of Syria and Iraq. It would be people of Yemen who will win eventually and they proved they are not divided and they are together against oppressors.
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Apr 03, 2015 01:53pm
@pady , wha wha what????
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Apr 03, 2015 01:54pm
It is interesting Pakistan's leadership only visiting saudis and their allies. They paid no respect to contact Yemen inhabitants or even Iran. This is just one sided blind approach and with this blind approach they will only ruin Pakistan and will earn humiliation in the end.
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Apr 03, 2015 02:33pm
@Sunil Try to understand brother Sunil Saudi's have been selling at least some of the oil at below market prices to us, they saved our financial tail many times, and our rulers need a place to go to when they are toppled. It's just payback time.
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Apr 03, 2015 02:34pm
Our travelling PM is off again, bet no other country has that either.
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Apr 03, 2015 03:18pm
Turkey is fighting on Saudis side. Please don't take part in conflict!
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Apr 03, 2015 03:18pm
@ZAK I agree with you.. We will need KSA's help in future too.
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Apr 03, 2015 04:21pm
The clash of interests and dream of hegemony are bringing havoc upon the commoners in this conflict. Muslims are fighting Muslims in the name of what...an incomprehensible and puzzling quest.
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Apr 03, 2015 04:27pm
Please visit Islamabad to discuss Pakistan crisis !
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Apr 03, 2015 04:52pm
@Danish He Does not have time to devote to development agenda due to terrorism/electricity problems in Pakistan.. He manages sufficient time for Yemeni Crises ??
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Apr 03, 2015 05:15pm
intersting, the PM of Turkey did not receive him even though this is a state visit.
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Apr 03, 2015 05:58pm
Nawaz must also consult Iran to get a balanced view and to shun the impression that the Sunni majority is ganging up against the Shias. As a Pakistani this matters most.
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Apr 03, 2015 06:29pm
Who gave him this job to solve yemen crisis??
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Apr 03, 2015 06:45pm
@Kalwar, Munwar Ali
The current population in Pakistan is a little over 180 million out of which approximately 11% ( about 20 million) are Shia. According to Wikipedia Shia population is 5-20% ( too much variation ), showing that there numbers are not accurate, but still no where near 90 millions as per your claim.
One looses the CREDIBILITY when figures are exaggerated.
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Apr 03, 2015 06:57pm
@Kalwar, Munwar Ali Do you know who is the founder of the country?
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Apr 04, 2015 05:34am
Enjoy your holiday sir
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Apr 04, 2015 06:13am
Couldn't Turkey have trotted out a more obsecure minister to receive the PM?
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Apr 04, 2015 06:55am
Why don't your house in order first.
Running away from responsibilities, ummmmm.
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Apr 04, 2015 07:18am
I wish Saudi Arabia had pressured India to solve Kashmir crisis before employing so many Indians in all sectors. I also wish Saudi Arabia was so active when Palestine or Lebanon were attacked or when Daesh was taking over large swaths of land. One thing I do not understand is that has someone attacked Saudi Arabia or is Saudi Arabia attacking another country? From what I heard from local Pakistani's interview in Yemen, local Yemenis both Sunni and Shia (except AQAP) are against Saudi attack. Lets also not forget Saudi role in Saddam’s war on Iran. Turkey and Iran were the only Muslim countries that helped Pakistan during the 1965 and 1971 wars. PAF planes used to land in Iran because our own airports were within reach of Indian aerial attack. Yet this is being portrayed as if Iran has attacked Saudi Arabia.
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