Pak joint session to discuss Yemen

‘ Pakistan’s national interest will remain the guiding principle of Pakistan’s foreign policy,’ an official statement said

Pakistan government on Thursday decided to summon a joint parliamentary session on April 6 to discuss prevailing Yemen crisis. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said at a high- level meeting that Islamabad will not tolerate violation of Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty.

“The meeting reaffirmed that any violation of Saudi Arabia’s territorial integrity will evoke a strong response from Pakistan,” said a govern- ment official adding the joint session is being summoned on Opposition’s demand.

“Pakistan’s national interest will remain the guiding principle of Pakistan’s foreign policy,” an official statement said.

“The participants also urged international community to play their role to resolve the issue,” it added.

During the meeting, members of the delegation, who recently concluded a visit to Saudi Arabia, briefed the participants about their talks with the Saudi officials on Yemen crisis.

Meanwhile, on Thursday, a Chinese ship with 180 Pakistani nationals on board left from Yemeni city of Aden for Djibouti.

According to foreign office spokesperson Tasnim Aslam, all arrangements were in place. “The Yemeni authorities had allotted a time slot for embarkation to the Chinese ship only for this morning,” she added.

The spokesperson said, a special flight’s landing in Djibouti will coincide with the arrival of the Chinese vessel there.

A Pakistan Navy ship has also reached Mokallah to rescue the remaining people. Reportedly, 45 Pakistani nationals are still stuck in a hospital in Sanaa.