Pakistan on Monday reiterated its support to unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the war-torn Yemen and pledged its continued possible assistance for complete restoration of peace in the Middle Eastern country. This was conveyed to the visiting Yemeni Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Abdulmalik Abdul Jalil Al Mekhlafi by Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz in a meeting here.
According to Foreign Office Spokesperson Nafees Zakaria, the foreign minister of Yemen is on a two-day visit to Pakistan from March 12-14, 2017. Welcoming the Yemeni foreign minister, the adviser underlined the close coordination Pakistan and Yemen have maintained at the bilateral and multilateral levels in various areas. He added that Pakistan has always supported the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Yemen and would continue to extend all possible assistance for restoration of complete peace and stability in the country.
"The adviser appreciated the efforts of the internationally recognised government of President Abd Rabu Mansour Al-Hadi towards restoration of peace, harmony and stability in the country," the spokesperson said, adding, "He [Aziz] also noted with satisfaction that these efforts had acquired control of over 80 per cent territory of Yemen, hoping that with the international support situation in remaining parts of the country would also be brought under control."
He added that the menace of terrorism posed common threat to the region and could only be defeated through co-ordinated efforts by all countries. On April 10, 2015, a special joint sitting of Pakistani Parliament, through a unanimous resolution, asked the government to remain neutral and stay out of the conflict of Yemen amid call from Saudi Arabia to join the Kingdom-led Arab countries' alliance against Hothis in Yemen.
The spokesperson further said that the Yemeni foreign minister thanked the adviser for Pakistan's continued political support and economic assistance to Yemen. He also briefed the adviser about the current situation in Yemen, the efforts by the government of Yemen to pursue the path of peace and reconciliation rather than conflict, as well as the success achieved so far in subduing the threat posed by terrorist networks in the country.
According to the spokesperson, issue related to serious humanitarian situation in Yemen due to severe food shortage was also discussed, adding the visiting Yemeni foreign minister also highlighted the efforts being undertaken by the government to address the multiple security, political and economic challenges confronting Yemen. Zakaria said that bilateral co-operation between Pakistan and Yemen in various areas was also reviewed and the adviser particularly thanked the government of Yemen for its assistance in recent release of seven Pakistani prisoners held in Yemeni jails.
Progress concerning early release of three remaining Pakistani prisoners in Yemen and 12 Yemeni prisoners in Pakistan, who have completed their sentences, was also reviewed, he added. He further said that two sides also noted that over 300 Yemeni students studying in various universities in Pakistan under the Pakistan Technical Assistance Programme provide a strong bond to further strengthen friendship between the two countries. The adviser also stated that Pakistan would be happy to continue this important programme and provide more facilities to new students in the coming years.
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