KARACHI: Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and Pakistan Muslim League-Functional leader Pir Sibghatullah Rashidi Pagara have urged the government to convene an all-party conference or a joint session of parliament to inform the nation about its policy on the conflict in Yemen.

They said that Muslims could not remain indifferent if a situation called for defending the integrity and sanctity of Harmain Sharifain, Khana-i-Kaaba and Roza-i-Rasool (PBUH), which were a source of inspiration for Muslims.

Maulana Fazl and Pir Pagara were talking to reporters after a luncheon meeting at the Raja House here on Sunday.

The JUI-F chief said that before sending army troops to Saudi Arabia, the government should convene an APC to work out a plan based on national interests.

Pir Pagara, who is also the spiritual leader of the Hur Jamaat, said that during the meeting which lasted over two hours, he and the JUI-F chief had exchanged views on the situation in the country and developments taking place in Yemen.

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia had historic and fraternal ties based on mutual respect, the JUI-F chief said. “We cannot forget that Saudi Arabia has always supported our country in every hour of trial and we too have tried to come up to their expectations.”

He said that it was for the Arab summit to find a solution to the Yemen situation. He urged the government of Pakistan to avoid an action which could cause trouble for the Islamic world. “We should demonstrate the spirit of peace, solidarity and fraternity.”

Replying to a question, he said that sending troops to Saudi Arabia was a difficult issue and, therefore, the government should not make any hasty decision before holding consultations with all political parties.

“We should keep in view our close relations with Saudi Arabia, but should also take into account our ties with our neighbours.”

He said that as an important country of the Islamic world, Pakistan should try to find out a workable solution to the Yemen conflict because it had already been entangled in the Afghanistan issue for years and was unable to get out of it.

He warned that imperialist powers wanted to see Pakistan embroiled in another difficult situation and, therefore, there was need to remain cautious.

Published in Dawn, March 30th, 2015

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