FRIDAY APRIL 03: Joint session of Parliament on Monday: government condemns Houthis, others

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday condemned the actions by non-state actors in Yemen to overthrow a legitimate government and called upon the warring factions to resolve all issues peacefully. The issue was discussed at a high-level meeting held here under the chair of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to review the evolving situation in Yemen.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister was updated on the evacuation of stranded Pakistanis from Yemen.
The Prime Minister, who is constantly keeping himself updated on the matter, commended the efforts being undertaken for bringing them back to Pakistan. He directed the authorities concerned that efforts must continue till the evacuation of all stranded Pakistanis.
The meeting affirmed that national interest would remain the guiding principle of Pakistan's policy.
Given the close historical cultural and religious affinities between the peoples of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, it was reaffirmed that any violation of Saudi Arabia's territorial integrity would evoke a strong response from Pakistan.
It was decided that the authorities concerned of Pakistan would stay engaged with their Saudi counterparts in this regard.
The Prime Minister also stressed the need for a peaceful resolution of the crisis.
He further emphasised that all decisions in the matter would be taken in accordance with the wishes of the people of Pakistan.
To this end, the Prime Minister is advising the President to convene a joint session of Parliament on Monday (April 6) to discuss this matter of national importance.
The meeting was attended by Minister for Finance, Ishaq Dar; Minister for Defence, Khawaja Muhammad Asif; Advisor to PM, Sartaj Aziz; SAPM, Tariq Fatemi; Chief of Army Staff, General Raheel Sharif; Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman; Acting Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Khan Hasham bin Saddique; Foreign Secretary and other senior officers.