Pakistan holds High-level meeting on Yemen

PR. No. 120/2015

 Office of the Spokesperson

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Press Release 

PM Chairs High-level meeting on Yemen situation

Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif chaired a high-level meeting on Yemen situation at the PM House here this evening, which was attended by Advisor to PM on National Security and Foreign Affairs, Mr. Sartaj Aziz; Chief Minister Punjab, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif; SAPM, Mr. Tariq Fatemi; Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, General Rashad Mahmood; Chief of the Army Staff, General Raheel Sharif; Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman; Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Muhammad Zakaullah; Chief of General Staff, Lt. General Ashfaq Nadeem Ahmad and Foreign Secretary, Mr. Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry along with other senior officials.

Chief Minister Punjab, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, who visited Saudi Arabia on 15^th April as Special Envoy of the Prime Minister, along with Advisor to PM , Chief of General Staff and Foreign Secretary briefed the meeting about the outcome of their discussions with the leadership of the Kingdom. 

Objective of the visit:

The objective of the visit was to express solidarity with the leadership and people of Saudi Arabia. During this visit the delegation met with His Royal Highness, Prince Muhammad bin Naif, Deputy Crown Prince and Minister for Interior and His Royal Highness Prince Saud Al-Faisal, Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia.

The meeting was apprised that Mr. Shahbaz Sharif reiterated to the Saudi leaders unequivocal support of the government and people of Pakistan to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Saudi Arabia while reaffirming that the people of Pakistan stand ever-ready to protect Harmain Al-Sharifain and the people of Saudi Arabia. Pakistan has always stood by Saudi Arabia, and Saudi Arabia with Pakistan, he said.

The meeting was informed that Saudi leaders reciprocated the warmth of relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia and reaffirmed the special bond of friendship between the two countries. The Saudi leadership also appreciated the statement of the Prime Minister of Pakistan of 13^th April, 2015 amplifying the resolution of the parliament of 10^th April, 2015. The delegation held detailed discussions with the Saudi leadership on the situation in Yemen and condemned the violent overthrow of the legitimate government of President Hadi by the Houthis.

UN imposes embargo on weapons:

The civil and military leadership was further informed that the delegation welcomed the adoption of UN Security Council (UNSC) resolution of 14^th April, 2015 calling upon the Houthis to end the use of violence that undermines political transition in Yemen, and calls upon them to withdraw their forces from all areas they have seized, including the capital Sana’a, and relinquish all arms seized from military and security institutions. The delegation also expressed its concerns on the reports of foreign support to the Houthis, and noted with satisfaction that the UN resolution requires all member states to prevent supply of arms and equipment to Houthis and their allies, including by inspecting all cargo going to Yemen, if the state concerned has information that the cargo contains the supply of arms prohibited under the UN resolution.

During their briefing 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, and discussed the possibility of expanding Pakistan's cooperation with Saudi Arabia in compatibility with the UNSC resolution, and pursuant to paragraphs 10 and 11 of parliament's resolution of 10^th April.

The meeting expressed satisfaction on the efforts being made by leadership, government and people of Pakistan to stand shoulder to shoulder with the Saudi brothers, and play a constructive role for a peaceful resolution of the crisis in Yemen.

The high-level meeting expressed the hope that in accordance with the UNSC resolution, 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.

Edited by: KANWAL ABIDI (063 News)

                 *Political Analyst & Journalist

Islamabad

April 16, 2015