ISLAMABAD: The government said on Thursday it had assured Saudi Arabia of its support in enforcing the United Nations Security Council’s arms embargo on Houthi militia and forces loyal to former Yemeni president Ali Abdullah Saleh, which could entail a role for the Pakistan Navy.
The commitment was conveyed to the Saudi leadership by Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif who visited the kingdom on Wednesday as special envoy of the prime minister, along with Adviser on Foreign Affairs and National Security Sartaj Aziz, Chief of General Staff Lt Gen Ashfaq Nadeem and Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhry.
Briefing a specially convened meeting at the Prime Minister’s House on the trip, the delegation members said: “They affirmed to the Saudi leadership that the government of Pakistan would fully participate and contribute to the implementation of the UNSC resolution.”
Read: Iran will submit peace plan for Yemen to UN
A statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office did not explain how Pakistan planned to help Saudi Arabia in enforcing the arms embargo.
Speaking to Dawn on the background, a key government figure said a separate announcement would be made by the government about committing its naval vessels for the purpose.
UNSC resolution provides Islamabad an opportunity to contribute to action against Yemeni rebels
“We are looking at how many ships can be spared,” he said, adding that two Pakistan Navy vessels were already in the region conducting anti-piracy operations as part of the Combined Task Force 151.
Also read: Neutral but not really
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif held a separate meeting with Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Mohammad Zakaullah for discussing the modalities of participating in the force which would monitor and enforce the UN-mandated arms embargo.
The government has moved in a ‘gradual manner’ to involve itself in Yemen, the government functionary said, adding that it was “done to sustain the positive narrative”.
The government said its decision to contribute to enforcement of the embargo was “pursuant to paragraphs 10 and 11 of parliament’s resolution of 10th April”.
The paragraphs had called for supporting Saudi Arabia in case of violation of its territorial integrity and threat to two Holy Mosques and expanding cooperation with Gulf Cooperation Council and other regional countries against extremism and terrorism, which are said to be threatening security and stability of the region.
Also read: Parliament insists on neutrality
Saudi Arabia had been pressurising Pakistan to provide troops, warplanes and navy ships for the offensive against Yemeni Houthi rebels who had overthrown the government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi. But Pakistan has so far been reluctant to make such a commitment.
The parliamentary resolution emphasising on neutrality in the conflict made the government’s task further difficult and also annoyed Arab leaders.
The UNSC resolution calling for arms embargo provided Pakistan an opportunity to contribute to the action against Houthis, though in a non-offensive role.
The PM Office statement said the delegation, besides assuring assistance in enforcement of the embargo, also pledged to consider expanding cooperation with Saudi Arabia under the UN resolution.
Another noticeable development in Pakistan’s position is that for the first time the country “expressed its concerns over the reports of foreign support to the Houthis” – in a clear reference to the alleged Iranian involvement with the Yemeni militia.
The Foreign Office has so far been saying that it did not subscribe to the allegations that Iran was backing the rebels.
In an angry reaction to the parliamentary resolution, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash had said: “Tehran seems to be more important to Islamabad … than the Gulf countries.”
Islamabad has been very particular in dispelling the impression about its closeness with Tehran.
The participants of the meeting expressed the hope that “all Yemeni parties would resolve their differences through dialogue and consultation, and all parties would take steps to agree and implement a consensus-based political solution to Yemen’s crisis in accordance with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) initiative and its Implementation Mechanism and the outcomes of comprehensive National Dialogue conference.”
The meeting presided over by Prime Minister Sharif was attended by Sartaj Aziz, Shahbaz Sharif, PM’s Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Gen Rashad Mahmood, Chief of the Army Staff Gen Raheel Sharif; Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Mohammad Zakaullah, Chief of General Staff Lt Gen Ashfaq Nadeem Ahmad, Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry and other senior officials.
Published in Dawn, April 17th, 2015
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Comments (104) Closed
for how long we shall keep worrying about Yemen. Do we have our own problems at home?
Please guard your on sea belt and and stop arms supplies to BLF.
so here we go, they found a point in parliament resolution.
This in defiance of parliament. Nawaz is too eager for Saudi petrodollars.
Slowly and steadly it seems we are getting involved, this is the polcy objectves of the current administration to support and pacify SA and others.But this may lead to a broader confilct which may not be in the interest of Pak. Once one gets in ths mess it may be difficult to get out of it. It seems we got threatened by UAE.
Pakistan government is corrupted So is military.
And what about all the embargo that the world has placed on Pakistan?
So, after all, Pakistani government has decided to back an unjustified aggression by a country against a sovereign nation even though over 80% of Pakistanis are against this move. I guess, the rulers will never stop bending over for their foreign masters even at the expense of Pakistan.
Will UN pay Pakistan for its services ?
Someone needs to remind the Sharif brothers that they should be focusing more on embargo of arms and explosive being brought into Pakistan rather than worrying about 2 Yemeni factions fighting each other over turf.
Wow, UN embargo. Great-You want the proof of how this so called embargo works, look at Iran, Russia, Syria, Lebanon and many others who are under UN embargo for many years. Clic here for more information. (http://www.sanctionswiki.org/Category:UNEmbargoedCountries)
This is bad. It may bring direct confrontation with Iran
Zzz...zzzz...zzz boring!
Good strategy!
Good strategy! Buy as many naval war ships and submarines at the cost of GCC...
Though not a dangerous move, but still shows Pakistan's weakness... Sharif brothers cannot sustain the pressure and they are desperately trying to wrap this move with UN resolution
A UN approved mission is acceptable... the government needs to make sure that they keep their words and not drag us into war
So we are in the Yemen conflict. Let's see what happens next.
So NS is finding ways and excuses to contribute troops (naval vessels to begin with) as part of the Arab Coalition Forces to repay personal indebtedness of his family to the Saudi Royals. Where is the threat to Saudi territorial integrity or Harmain Shareefain? What right Shahbaz Sharif had to lead a Federal Govt delegation to visit Saudi Arabia - obviously as brother of Pakistan PM, Pakistan royals - democracy NS style.
How about enforcing the ban on ammunition and arms rampant in our own country - when will that happen?
So whey parliament wasted money and 5 days of this drama?
UN resolution against Houthis will provide much needed justification to PML N government to act against armed rebellion forces in Yemen.
A statement is about to be given "Pakistan is sending troops to KSA to fight the Houthis rebels".. Prediction !!!
Damage control answered by another damage to neighbor relationship. remaining neutral and do what UNSC ask to do was best way to go about.
Finally...
We should be on one side we cant sit on the fence, now it is too late to do anything , we must remain neutral and should not respond to any provocation by Saudis.
Let's handle our challenges first, we need to stay out of this conflict and let others police the embargo. We, simply, can not afford.
i hope its not the start of buckling under the Saudi pressure in the guise of UN Resolution.
Hoover crafts , navy attack helicopters also can join in
An unwelcome step...as if Saudi bombardment of Yemen is not outside interference
Not a good idea. Let the GCC countries take part in this regional conflict. Do not get involved as it will affect our relations with Iran.
Its shocking how resources are going to be diverted away from Pakistan where it is needed so badly. It is the beginning of end of Nawaz.
Enforcing blockade means challenging Russian and Iranian vessels to deliver emergent supplies. Nawaz Sharif can easily defeat them.
Houthis and their sympathizers can impose a long and protracted era of suffering for Pakistan just like the Taliban and their offshoots continue to do since a decade. Pakistan has only itself to blame for repeating the same mistake over and over.
We can't protect our own land borders which are leaking like a sieve how are we going to stop arms to Yemen from sea while floating on water? Seriously.
So the point is our feudal leaders will never learn. The overwhelming majority of people are saying we should not get involved in Yemen whether UN resolutions or not.
What about arms availability in Pakistan? Who is responsible to control arms and terrorism in Pakistan?
What has UN done for us that we need to get involved in Yemen to make Saydis happy? There are UN Resolutions on Plebiscite in Kashmir .... Has anyone helped UN implement that? Why does not Saudi Arabia do that?
Off goes the IP gas pipeline project
Pakistan has enough problem to focus on. Foremost, guard your own borders. As for the UN, you do not oblige an organization which has failed us on many occasions.
There are millions of Afghan refugees in Pakistan still..... Why does not UN help send them back to Afghanistan? Why does not other countries help?
No need for Pakistan to get involved in Yemen.
This is totally meaningless, has no bearing on events - Pakistan does not trade much or do much in Yemen anyway - all posturing.
Good pakistan keep it up ha ha.
This is how the PM and his government is putting fire to the unanimous decision of the Parliament that we should stay strictly neutral in this affair.
Old habits!
lol, who cares about the parliament.
If government was as fearful from its people as they are from foreign nations then we might have better future. Parliament or dictator,does not matter there is always a Article-C hidden that can be used to get things done that otherwise is wrong or against popular opinion.
LOL, so what was the parliament resolution about?
Good decision. As an ally Pakistan has to step up to the mark when required -this is how allies and alliances work. Its not always simply about "whats in it for me"
We will face the music, after participating in Yemen War.
@Raza What do you mean direct confrontation with Iran. If we buy Iran's logic that its "not" helping Houthi rebels, then there should be no problem for Iran if Pakistan joins Saudi coalition to kick out rebels. Obviously Iran is playing dirty games in Yemen and that's the reason it doesn't want reinforcement against rebels.
@raza ...very good....niw drag ur foot in yemen war ...later when they will attack ur country ..u will again put blame on India.
Dont put ur nose in others internal matters
As predicted!! as usual.. Pakistan enters a conflict against its will.. no surprises here.
I see lot of emotional comments by Pakistanis on not joining Saudi. Yes, that's ideal but let's recognise our energy dependence and mostly bleak foreign reserves to buy oil, huge foreign remittances compensating for low exports n huge number of people working in ME. Kuwait already doesn't issue visa to Pakistanis even those visiting from GCC, Qatar also has made it lot difficult. Now Saudi n UAE are left which may restrict us too. First we need to stand on our legs to be able to say NO. Our tax collection is still dismal, productivity n honesty equally low as well. Almost everyone, govt teachers, hospital doctors, and mechanics n everyone AND we expect or rulers to be honest. I believe Pakistan should be pragmatic n take Saudi side butNEGOTIATE well for nation, a dame, a university and further employment for Pakistanis.
@truth
We believe in Army only. A few generals should not spoil the name of our brave soldiers. The present COAS is probably the best we have had and can have.
Supporting Saudia without troops is actually better than sending in forces.
Yemeni Rebels are like Kashmiri rebels we must help crush them
Pakistan should make the world clear that it has its own mess to clear. It should also negotiate with Iran to stop interfering in Baluchistan if Iran wants Pakistan to stay away from Yemen conflict.
Iran is siding up with Iran and KSA with Pakistan. Let's see who wins
why Shehbaz Sharif is sitting in that "high level" meeting, or he has special status for being brother of PM?
GOP, Please stop making fool out of pakistanies. Your personal interests become National interests. IK is absolutely right when he demands that none of the parliamentarians should have businesses outside pakistan. The top leadership of many parties have businesses worth millions of dollars in middle eastern monarchies, how can you expect them to safeguard national interests!!!
The embrgo is alright, but to solve the Yemeni conflict there is an absolute need for Pakistan, Turkey and Iran to work together in tandem.
Pakistan is not an independent country.
It is now more than evident that our rulers and our our vessels etc all are for use against Muslims ..and Muslims only. Israel has imposed a naval blockade around Palestinians since many years now and are not allowing even humanitarian aid viz construction material to reach the victims of brutal destruction. We being a Muslim country claim that Palestinians are our brothers but this remains only a lip service as we have never..ever even thought about escorting humanitarian aid to Palestinians. We have a strong naval force for sure...but of what use if not used in favour of Palestinians by way of providing escort ? It seems that we only treat Aley Saud as brothers.
@truth that's the Indian military you are talking about.
Pakistan's 180 degree turn .... It proves that until Pakistan becomes economically independent and strong, it will remain insecure and weak despite its possession of long range missiles and bombs.
What is Shahbaz Sharif's role in these meetings?
Although there is pressure from the Arabs, we must stay well away from this conflict, its not going to be resolved either way, so its a quagmire we can do without. We have our own interests to worry about, the expats in the Gulf that the Arabs seem to be threatening the future of the IP gas and possibly oil pipelines. This is a fight in which choosing either side inflicts losses on Pakistan. Therefore we should stay neutral, not even take part in any US ascribed sanctions. Getting involved is not in our interests.
Why don't these Royal Sharifs send their sons and grandson to fight in columns with KSA? What's wrong with that? If they can appoint them on high level positions in the Govt. then they must send them on the front-lines. But please spare us from something happening thousands of miles away from our home
Saudi Arabia and GCC would be so impressed by this decision of the Ameer-ul-momineen's PML-N government to inundate the land of pure with petrodollars.
Running water cannot be returned. Spilt milk cannot be rebottled.
The 'parliament' (in apostrophe because the majority of the votes are by the disenfranchised who did not vote people or on national issues but due to economic deprivation, ethnic and clan reasons, or a desperate need for change, any change) made the wrong decision.
Live with it and pay the price if any. These lame 'after the event' steps are laughable and clearly ineffective.
People who are on the helm of affairs on Pakistan ate compromised
What are you guys? Mercenary suppliers? What an image in the Arab world you have created. Sad!
This is what happen when you got "imported" democracy in Pakistan, with the so called political leaders and their strings being pulled from outside. A food for thought for our establishment as well who tolerate this non sense for petty short term goals while in long run, it not only become a torture for the nation but also a headache for establishment as well. A lesson to be learned. Democracy is from the people, by the people and for the people, literally. No outside interference.
Has the UN asked them to help implement the resolution? The answer is no. Moreover, if they can watch over the seas near Yemen to keep arms to Houthis out, what and who stops them from letting arms reach the BLA from the sea? This is the golden opportunty for Pakistan to assert itself and let the GCC know that Pakistan just cannot afford to involve itself militarily in the conflict.
So Nawaz Sharif has decided to implemented the resolution of the unelected Security Council which did not even call on Pakistan specifically to offer its "services". Nawaz Sharif has decided to ignore its own elected parliament's unanimous resolution.
So much for the democratic facade of Nawaz Sharif and his government.
It seems a direct clash between Pakistani Navy and Iranian navy has become a reality.
@kaspar But what can we - the masses - the silent majority - do when our rulers - the sold out souls - are getting more and more enthusiastic with every passing day to prove to the Saudis that .. Please don't worry Your Majesties ..we will prove ourselves to be more loyal than the king (yourselves). There have been scores of UN resolutions which remain unimplemented but we damn care. We on our part thought it fit to take care / take refuge behind two, only two resolutions. One: Almost abandoned the Iran gas pipeline taking refuge behind sanctions on Iran and Two : This latest resolution of arms embargo on Houthis. We never..ever even think about any action in matters where Israel or any other anti Islam forces are involved against Palestinians or other Muslims...but we are always too willing to side by the aggressor when there is any conflict between two Muslim countries.
Despite being highly biased in favour of Saudis and totally one sided one this UN resolution does not make Pakistan or any other country bound to ensure implementation of embargo. At best it can be said that every country may take care of its boarders and not let arms reach the concerned country or group from its own border. That's all. Our enthusiasm in assuring Saudis in this respect is over and above our binding to this resolution.
Pakistani government should remember that Houthis are future whereas Kings are breathing their last breath before extinction
@ahmad Although, quite clearly there is no such point in joint parliament resolution as yet there is no threat to Saudi Arabia's territorial integrity or much less to Harmaiyn Shareefaiyn. On the contrary, Saudi Arabia is the aggressor pounding a neighboring Muslim country and its civil population by a nonstop round the clock bombing. Any military support proffered by Pakistan is a complete sellout of the government and a blatant violation of the will of its people and parliament. NS should refrain from selling out the country in lieu of what he personally owes to the kingdom.
No!! This is not our conflict!! The Navy should not send any ships at all to intervene in Yemen!!
little allegiance of troops to the fighting forces in Yemen will drag Pakistan into war, and the end game of complex issue could flareup the whole region. Pakistan should utilize all resources for peace in the region with the help of Muslim world, especially Turkey, Indonesia, Malaysia, Egypt, Iran for controlling the situation
At last the meeting is being held around a table. But this is NOT A CONFERENCE TABLE but a dining table with a cloth cover! Conference tables are wider longer and polished without any cloth cover.
If this token help leads to serious involvement, then the opposition should take it further in the parliament to pass a no confidence vote against the PM. PML-N has been given a responsibility to run the country under the wishes of the people. This is a wake up call for the People of Pakistan and they should make sure that next time they elect someone who is trustworthy.
UN has not chalked out any plan yet but sharif is eager to jump in before every one. Come on u .....
Does everyone see the type of pressure on our dear PM? He had no choice as for SA he will sell anything, literally!
Houthis have never attacked Pakistan, therefore Pakistan has no business in acting against them. This is open aggression which Pakistan will pay a heavy price.
Why NS dying to send Pakistani military to Yemen conflict. He and his family owes the royal family and SA for his own benefit but I as a Pakistani don't owe anything to Saudi government. Live with dignity. When are going to learn that.
NS has no right to return personal favor at nation's expense. Where is the so called democracy now? Why voice of majority is not being heard? Where is the opposition now.
Right move,
Yes Parliament wasted 5 days. It was a blunder to go to Parliament. Neutral in what? Is there any conflict between two countries.NO, then why Neutral word was added . Pakistan should go with Saudi Arabia.
Those who are writing against Pakistan helping are Saudi Arabia are so called Liberal/Burger people who are led by Imran.
There are only three countries/regions which is Pakistan friend in real sense, Gulf countries, China and Turkey.We should do every thing to keep this friendship growing.Do not forget the financial help we get from them.
The parliament resolution already reflects the sentiments of the nation but why not take a poll across the nation to ask citizens if Pak military should be involved in a conflict and take side between two Muslim factions of a country that has nothing to do with Pakistan. Lets see what the majority will say.
The people who are opposing Pakistan's help in Yemen, should think of scenario that (God forbid) what if Taliban (terrorists) get control of Islamabad, then what Pakistan should expect from international community Help or neutrality?
@Irfan Haque with your theory ..we should continue to live off others. Great thinking. When are we going to stand on our own two feet so we don't have to take orders from others. There's somethign called self respect and with with political leaders like NS and Zardari, we don't have that because they never thought of betterment and self reliance of the country.
@Rizwan Khan In that case US and European allies will be first on the ground not Saudis or emaratis..I can gurantee you that.
proud of government's decision taken today, we are with our gulf arab allies in their difficult times the way they have been with us in our difficult times, a friend in need is a friend indeed.
@Rizwan Khan Your comment comparing Houthis to Taliban shows that you know very little about Yemen. The Yemen issue is a political dispute, while Taliban were about terrorism. How many Houthis have carried out terrorist attacks? How many suicide bombings? the Houthis are an anti-Al-Qaeda group.
Before we get involved, we should get a clear answer to some questions? Who will pay for our Naval deployment? How much will Pakistan be compensated for the risk it is taking in getting involved in Saudi's misadventure which has a more than even chance of ending badly? How much will Pakistan be compensated for annoying our powerful western neighbour on whom we depend on for meeting our energy needs?
I might not be out of place to mention that KSA has pain $16 billion to Egypt for its military support which has still not materialised. We might not be an Arab brother like Egypt but we are taking greater risk in getting involved.
This is in the interest of ummah.
When one loses focus and cannot find solutions for his family problems, one goes to red light areas, goes for drinking or engage in similar menial activities. When politicians cannot put food on masses' tables, they raise rubble of religion, language, tribe and so on to divert attention of the masses and fool them. Pakistan has no role to play in others' problems. Has UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt ever sent their soldiers to fight terrorists in Pakistan? Answer once, then please go ahead. And if the answer is empathetic NO, forget. They are no all weather friends but exploiters in the name of Islam. Stop this nonsense and get back to work. Put food on masses' table, provide them opportunities to make living, stop crime and so on.
Cannot force embargo on arms that coming to Pakistan. Now they are going to impose in over Yemen!
Pakistan should instead promote to hold local bodies elections in those Yemeni provinces and handover power to elected representatives. The problem is all commom to the entire Islamic countries, minority sect is subjugating the majority sect. Be it Iraq or Syria, be it Bahrain or Yemen. You will keep on killing each other as its happening in the centuries. On the other hand civilized nation in the polity of world resort to free fair transparent elections which Islamic countries don't wish to follow.
@Ume UN will pay Nawaz Shareef for his services.
Pakistan should prepare for action in Yemen and possibly Iran itself