Zarif in Pakistan as MPs Speak out against Aggression on Yemen
Local Editor
Pakistani members of parliament spoke out against aggression on Yemen on Wednesday as they resumed a one-sided debate on a Saudi request to join a campaign against the poor country.
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif was due in Pakistan later on Wednesday when he is likely to urge Pakistan to reject the Saudi request.
"The Yemen war is not our war...Our advice to the government is that the army should not go [to Yemen]," said opposition member of parliament Shireen Mazari.
"As Muslims, we are duty bound to counter any threat to holy shrines but there is no such threat today."
Opposition Senator Tahir Hussein Mashadi said the "aggressors" were the Saudis and the victims were the Yemenis.
"Now the aggressors are asking another sovereign state, Pakistan, to come to provide military aid to Saudi Arabia."
Last month, a Saudi-led coalition began its air strikes aggression against Yemen.
Pakistan's parliament began debating the request on Monday and no legislator has spoken in support of sending troops for Saudi to use in Yemen.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said he will defend Saudi Arabia's "territorial integrity" but not spelled out what, if any, commitments he has made. On Tuesday, Sharif told lawmakers Iran should be part of the debate and urged parliament to take its time in coming to a decision.
Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team
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