Iran wanted to hold talks on Yemen crisis
90
ISLAMABAD: Iran is reported to have conveyed its concern to Pakistan over the situation in Yemen and expressed its desire to hold talks on the crisis.
The Iranian proposal for a dialogue on the crisis in Yemen and Pakistan’s likely participation in the Saudi-led coalition against Houthi rebels was made at a meeting between Pakistani Ambassador in Tehran Noor Mohammad Jadmani and a senior Iranian foreign ministry official last week, a Pakistani official disclosed on Monday.
The Iranian foreign ministry had asked the Pakistani envoy to convey Tehran’s concerns over reports about Pakistan’s willingness to join the military coalition cobbled by Saudi Arabia for fighting Houthis.
There were allegations that Houthi rebels were being backed by Iran. But Foreign Office spokesperson Tasneem Aslam had last week dismissed such reports and said there was no available proof of Iranian involvement in Yemen. Also, Pakistan has so far not taken a decision to send troops to Yemen.
During the Tehran meeting, the Iranian side indicated that it was interested in talking to Pakistan on the issue.
According to the source, Tehran had emphasised on a “policy of non-interference” in the Yemeni crisis. The Iranian foreign ministry had also diplomatically cautioned about complications in case of military intervention in Yemen.
Ambassador Jadmani, the source said, had conveyed the Iranian message to the Foreign Office.
Published in Dawn, March 31st, 2015
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Comments (90) Closed
Mar 31, 2015 06:37am
Iranian move is a rational one. Pakistan should play its role as a mediator.
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Mar 31, 2015 06:42am
That mean Iran warned Pakistan to stay away from their borders.
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Mar 31, 2015 06:53am
Pakistani leadership should try to facilitate peace talks between KSA, Yemen, and Iran.
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Mar 31, 2015 07:03am
Pakistan should stay out of the troubles in the middle east. We have too many of our own problems to play any role.
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Mar 31, 2015 07:11am
Iran should recollect and visit policy period prior to Khamini. Shensha Iran was much closer to Pakistan than Saudia. Now Iran is much closer to India than Pakistan. now and on Iran is breaking border line, Iran needs to pull socks up. Pakistan and Iran are not only muslim but neighbour. Claps is only by two hands not by one. Let us live and let live,
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Mar 31, 2015 07:16am
Yemeni movement led by Houthis are the coalition of various various Shia Sunni tribal factions against the Saudi supported fugitive President Hadi. Yemeni people have raised against tyrannical rule of dictatorships supported by Riyadh. Saudi Arabia has portrayed this conflict as sectarian one to garner majority Muslim support for its malicious political ambitions. It has torn apart the Muslim unity by creating sedition on sectarian faultlines. Muslims have to be vigilant against this phenomenon.
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Mar 31, 2015 07:17am
Pakistan in between a Rock and the Hard place, it cannot alienate Iran neither can it afford to anger KSA
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Mar 31, 2015 07:26am
We wish Iran joins the ranks of peace loving nations and allow an arm free world surrounding her, but the Ayatollahs' grand dreams of reviving the old Persian empire under the banners of Iranian brand of Shia-ism is a hurdle to a peaceful world. Iran must be contained at any cost to prevent more chaos in this world especially now with this new Mutah-Nikka with the western countries, Iran must be ready to spread herself dangerously.
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Mar 31, 2015 07:32am
Pakistan may play a key roll to bring peace in the region.
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Mar 31, 2015 07:40am
The Saudis/Qatar/Kuwait and the Iranians are both to blame for this madness. They hold the solution to the problems because they are the problems. This is all out proxy war at its finest. Muslims fighting Muslims. Shame on them.
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Mar 31, 2015 07:55am
Mature step by Iran. Pakistan must reciprocate to the brotherly Iran offer. Thank you Iran we appreciate your mature and sincere approach to this issue.
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Mar 31, 2015 07:57am
Poor houthis fighting for their rights and world is labeling them pro Iranian. What a shame.
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Mar 31, 2015 08:07am
Pakistan should not involve in the talks or act as negotiator as Pakistan is biased towards KSA hence Iran should talk directly with KSA in neutral country and resolve the issue or come with a sort of compromise which will lead to peace in the region.
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Mar 31, 2015 08:28am
Better be a faciliator than a partcipator in this problem.
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Mar 31, 2015 08:34am
Why has Pakistan not insisted that Iranian and Saudi foreign ministers come to Pakistan and resolve a process to peace. Where is Pakistans foreign minister? Who is Pakistan foreign minister?
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Mar 31, 2015 08:36am
It would be great it if Iran can help disarm Houthis, but then whats the use of US made arms and ammunition worth billions?
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Mar 31, 2015 08:45am
It is time to become part of solution not problem. Save lives in Yemen and find political solution as early as possible.
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Mar 31, 2015 08:45am
Now we are stuck between siding with our 'brotherly' country and our neighboring country. Lets see what our leaders do
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Mar 31, 2015 08:47am
Huge blunder by Pakistan.to side with Saudis against its neighbor.
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Mar 31, 2015 09:14am
My only question to all Iranian symphathizers is
"If Iran has nothing to do with Yemen and they not supporting Houthi Shias then why Iran wanted to have talks regarding Yemen- Will you talk to Brazil regarding Afghanistan"-
Clearly shows the Iranian expansion policy. They are best friends with US n Israel - don't go on rhetoric they throw at each other on media. If this wasn't true, Iran would be served like Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Libya, Vietnam or Korea.
Iran has zero capacity to defend itself against american war machine and in US public opinion its the biggest threat- still for some strange reason it gets away with it. Pakistan on other hand, a nuclear power, a well trained armed forced, well equipped still avoids direct confrontation - reason is simple, Iran knows its deep back door friendship with the West where as Pakistan know it has to get ready for a massive war if it goes out against USA like that.
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Mar 31, 2015 09:27am
We should talk to the Iranians and maintain good relations with them.
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Mar 31, 2015 09:38am
Iran is the most sensible party in this issue.
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Mar 31, 2015 09:41am
Iran Is brave Nation and Is playing vital role in unifying Muslim Ummah .
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Mar 31, 2015 09:45am
The talks can be started from here. There is no sense in fighting by brothers. Sincerety to the Ummah should prevail on all the sides. Talk, talk and talk more to solve the problem.
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Mar 31, 2015 09:57am
Yes Iran wanted to start the talks just to show the world but never wanted to stop funding and arming the rabels in Yemen.
Thanks to this fanatic approach iran has initiated another mess in middle east. Saudi Arabia cannot let Iran build an Afghanistan next door...
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Mar 31, 2015 10:00am
There seems insanity in this move by Tehran. Pakistan must grab this proposal and engage Riyadh also and lessen the heat ignited by USA and Israel with malicious intentions.
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Mar 31, 2015 10:02am
The Iranians will not take kindly to the Pakistani Army playing a mercenary role on behalf of Saudi Arabia in the Middle East conflict. Pakistan has made it a habit of annoying neighbors with provocative behavior and policies, blow back of which have brought nothing but grief for its citizens. Learning from past mistakes has never been the forte of the Pakistani ruling class who will continue to peddle propaganda that foreign conspiracies is at the root of its problems. However citizens will become wiser if not today at least tomorrow, and start demanding accountability.
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Mar 31, 2015 10:16am
Pakistan needs to stop favoring KSA blindly . The delegation that is to visit KSA should also visit Iran.
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Mar 31, 2015 10:28am
Pakistan should be natural between Iran and Saudi Arab. Saudi Arab never showed any concerns regarding Afghanistan or commit any troops. Let Saudi deals with their issues in Yemen.
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Mar 31, 2015 10:58am
Iran has maintained a policy of negotiations for resolving any regional issues. Every time you read about Iranian leaders especially the foreign minister Javad Zareef, the message is always about reconciliation and understanding the facts. Unfortunately, Saudis always maintained a line of accusations and divisive policies. Who had stopped Saudis working a possible solution with different stakeholders in Yemen? Instead they planned to bomb the country.
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Mar 31, 2015 11:02am
Amazing logic, TTP fighting against the govt and they are called terrorists while Houthi's fighting against the regime and they are fighting for their rights...we Pakistanis are always confused....
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Mar 31, 2015 11:03am
Calling OIC meeting is very crucial to discuss the internal crisis (sectarian issue ) facing Islamic world at the moment to be resolved with discussions rather having military backed action.
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Mar 31, 2015 11:04am
@Kalandar that would take divine intervention my friend
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Mar 31, 2015 11:22am
The greatest mediator of any community any country is human morality.if we understand this the world be at peace...
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Mar 31, 2015 11:29am
@Kalandar Iran has no border with Yemen, So how is Pakistan allegedly going into Yemen concerns Iran over its border? Beside Iran's warning would clearly mean that they are supporting houthies. Right now Iran officially is against Saudi led strikes but they never admitted to supporting Houthies which is obviously a lie but thats their official stand.
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Mar 31, 2015 11:33am
Pakistan can make KSA and Iran sit on a table and discuss the issue. I don't think there was any need of the offence by KSA.
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Mar 31, 2015 11:36am
Iran is being rationale and Pakistan should accept their proposal and should act as a mediator. If the war continues, only the muslim nations will be affected and muslim lives will be lost.
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Mar 31, 2015 11:36am
Pakistan should be played a role as facilitator between Yamen and Saudia not in blood shed of the muslims in the region!
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Mar 31, 2015 11:36am
@Danish,
Pakistani Military or Army MEN are already in Saudi Arabia & Yemen Border, check the Gulf Newspaper of Today (31 March) they have published with pictures of Pakistani Army
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Mar 31, 2015 11:40am
Iran Is playing a good role in unification of Muslim Ummah , Pakistan should also play positive role instead of taking side .
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Mar 31, 2015 11:42am
Iran Is playing a positive role in the region , Pakistan should also play positive role rather than taking side .
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Mar 31, 2015 11:46am
Iran concern Over Pakistan involvement in Yemen Crises is strange, where pakistan trying to bring peace in the region by dialogue should be appreciated, either then taking it in negative sense.
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Mar 31, 2015 11:51am
Why don't all big Muslim heads sit together to find out a solution to end the crisis in Yemen. Instead forming allies every body do his best to bring peace and normalcy because if the war erupts the whole world will laugh and mock of us Muslim brother are fighting with each other.
We should not give any opportunity to the world to laugh at us. Oh God show us the right path and guide us. Ameen.
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Mar 31, 2015 11:54am
@Waqar Jan in yemen Saudi Arabia is not only fighting Houthis there are numerous Sunni tribes allied with. People have fallen into the fabricated lies spreader by Saudis to legitimise their illegal invasion on a neighbouring Muslim Arab state. Nobody has attack Saudi Arabia, it's Saudi Arabia perpetrated crime.
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Mar 31, 2015 11:57am
For Pakistan, two important factors:
1) Pakistan has always had a foreign policy of non-interference in the internal affairs of a foreign country, whether strictly followed or not.
2) The expats who escaped from Yemen, did it because of Saudi invasion, not because of the civil war. And on the way back to airport, they were stopped and verified for documents, but no harm whatsoever was caused to them by the Houthis.
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Mar 31, 2015 12:04pm
Iranian regime is behind all these problems we have in the MiddleEast. an ideological regime that does not even have his people support. milions have fled the country. Almost 20% of the population that are suni muslim and so on has hardly any rights.People both Shia and suni escapes and disgust all who says and done in religiones name. majority of the people are tired of Khamenei and the idiologiska hell. Daily 2-3 people hung in the streets.
Billions are going to purchase of weapons to the Assad regime and Iranian regime help Assad to assassinate the Syrian people. All of these due to spread the Shia ideologion. The only thing the regime has in mind is to export its ideology may it'll cost Iranian people's existence.
Iranian regime has sacrificed Iranian people, both Shia and suni to help Assad and Maleki in Iraq,ISIS is a product of the Iranian regime's policies. it was time to Saudi act despite i can criticise saudi as well for other reasons.
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Mar 31, 2015 12:08pm
Iran move is quite rational. Pakistan must stay away from the Yemen conflict and, as far as possible, make efforts for a negotiated settlement of the Yemen crisis. There is absolutely no justification for joining a war on behalf of others, as we have suffered enough for joining others' war in Afghanistan.
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Mar 31, 2015 12:10pm
Pakistan should never intervene in the Yemen fight in direct manners.
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Mar 31, 2015 12:17pm
@Muhammad iran is the only independent muslim.nation in the world
its proud n self confidemt though its not.rich
iran rocks
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Mar 31, 2015 12:17pm
@Faiz Khilji :: dear friend, you say, talk, talk, talk and more talk. have you not noticed that there is hardly any talk and brotherly compromise among muslim nations but a whole lot of killings and wars?
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Mar 31, 2015 12:24pm
How come the rebels are not backed by Iran If Iran conveyed it concerns on it .
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Mar 31, 2015 12:29pm
This is a great opportunity for Pakistan to improve relations with both Iran and Saudi Arabia. Mind you the Iranian foreign ministry is 3,000 years old and knows how to tackle the Arabs, not to speak of how deftly they have managed the Americans.
Now is the time for Pakistan to be creative. For once show the world your true abilities. This will also help Pakistan in tackling others. This is an opening that can bring peace to Pakistan itself. Grab it Pakistan.
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Mar 31, 2015 12:31pm
@ZAK But remaining neutral can not annoy any party. It is only taking sides which do so. And why should KSA feel angry if we had remained neutral ? Does it mean that they - the monarchs - want every word of theirs to be followed in full ? We always claim that we do not take dictations ....and that we have broken the begging bowl, don't we ? And yet this decision to side with masters. The reason being given for this enthusiasm of support also does not hold any ground....as the Harmain Sharifain are not under any threat from any Muslim country. The threat, if any, is only from Israel and other anti-Islam forces.
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Mar 31, 2015 12:39pm
Smart move by Iran, that is the difference between a independent nation and those who act under other's influence!
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Mar 31, 2015 12:44pm
Iran in no more then a 3 minute mission
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Mar 31, 2015 12:49pm
Iran please revisit your policies. You are destroying the whole region. Spend your money and energy for human resource development instead of using them as fuel for your sectarian warfare.
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Mar 31, 2015 01:07pm
@malick During the Shah period Pakistan was not in American Block now Pakistan is in American Block first we have to distance ourselves from America's disastrous policies in Middle East, which has created unprecedented chaos in the region, it is really pathetic that we cannot even buy cheap natural gas from Iran due to American pressure
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Mar 31, 2015 01:17pm
I am amazed how short memory we have as a nation. I agree that Saudi's have helped us a lot after they became main player and close alley of Us after fall of Shah. We have all these journalist and analyst reminding us how we were helped by Saudi's. Two things they forgot that in two wars 65 and 71 it was Iran who provided us with weapons as US has embargoed weapon supply to waring countries which was effecting Pakistan as we had American weapons. The mess we are in today i.e Taliban their ideology, other sectarian outfits who are destroying my country is because of money coming from our friends in Gulf and Iran. It will be better that Pakistan try to felicitate peace talk between, Yemen, Saudi and Iranians. Both of these countries should solve their problems on table and not siding with groups in Pakistan for their proxy war. Leave us alone in Peace, we have our own problems.
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Mar 31, 2015 01:23pm
@SAAB93 "but then whats the use of US made arms and ammunition worth billions?" please do not worry as Saudi Arabia is the largest buyer of American Arms and ammunition !
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Mar 31, 2015 01:28pm
If Iran has not created them, it should not worry at all. Even dont care?
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Mar 31, 2015 01:32pm
I sincerely hope that the rationality prevails...Mankind must put an end to war before war puts an end to mankind.....If we fight our enemy using the same inhumane and morally bankrupt techniques that we are trying to stop, we will simply become what we have beheld.
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Mar 31, 2015 01:33pm
The mediation by Pakistan between the different parties is the only viable route to solve the Yemeni crisis otherwise the things may spin out of hand for the outside damaging self- interests.
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Mar 31, 2015 01:47pm
@ZAK Plus the money that it would receive from Saudi Arabia for its involvement in the war would be impossible to resist. At the end of the day it is always about money for Pakistan, totally ignoring the tensions this is likely to create internally in Pakistan.
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Mar 31, 2015 01:49pm
@Mehtab A bit too late for your advise to be followed by the authorities as the UAE papers have already confirmed that Pakistan will be joining Saudi Arabia in its war against the rebels in Yemen. Obviously the money being offered must have been a huge influencing factor.
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Mar 31, 2015 01:51pm
@Zak They are already in Saudi Arabia agreeing to become part of the coalition against the rebels..
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Mar 31, 2015 02:01pm
Pakistan should remain "neutral"
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Mar 31, 2015 02:03pm
It should be a serious concern for every Muslim, shea or Sunni, to ensure safety and honor of Ka'aba Sharif and Masjid e Nabvi.
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Mar 31, 2015 02:11pm
Had we not allowed beggars and looters to run the country for so long, Pakistan would surely able to play a major role.
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Mar 31, 2015 02:12pm
@ZAK then act as a mediator. What's wrong with that?
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Mar 31, 2015 02:14pm
@Zak and that neutral country would be ? India or Afghanistan?
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Mar 31, 2015 02:14pm
@Threatning Perhaps you should read about the politics and history of Yemen before concluding who is doing what in Yemen. Despite everything that is happening in Afghanistan, have Pakistan ever bombed Afghanistan just because the government in Afghanistan is not pro Pakisran? The opposite of this is exactly what Saudis are doing. They are bombing the people who represent 40% of the population and the army of that country is also helping the Houthis. And Saudi Arabia doesn't like that because it prefers a puppet government in that country.
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Mar 31, 2015 03:25pm
"You say the new situation threatens you.... dont you feel the threat posed by Israel. This mean that in eyes of (the saudis) Israel is not an enemy" hassan nasrullah
saudis can just stand against muslims.
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Mar 31, 2015 03:26pm
@Waqar Jan great observation why is Iran so agitated if it has nothing to do with Houthis.
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Mar 31, 2015 03:30pm
Arab can resolve the issue of Arab world except Iran......
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Mar 31, 2015 03:34pm
@Threatning There is no confusion Huthis never killed innocent people they never committed any suicide attack on public, they never beheaded any innocent person and further majority of Yemeni population is with Huthis and their allies whereas Taliban has committed heinous crimes against innocent people of Afghanistan they never enjoyed popular support in Afghanistan they ruled the Afghan people with brutality Taliban have committed dire crimes against humanity there is no comparison between Taliban and oppressed people Huthis and their allies
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Mar 31, 2015 03:54pm
Pakistan has fully committed itself to defend Saudi Arabia. Will Iran feel that Iran needs to "secure" Pakistani Nuclear weapons so that the Nukes are not used against Iran under any circumstances ? If so, How will Iran do this?
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Mar 31, 2015 03:57pm
Pakistan is very well placed as it is respected by Iran and Saudi's. This is the time to show its real regional power status and be the mediator and facilitator to strongly get both countries to come to the negotiating table and stop the conflict. Take the lime light, show your mettle, lead Pakistan as it should be led. Replace Khawaja Asif and Sartaj Aziz with qualified and competent people.
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Mar 31, 2015 04:16pm
it may be feared that Pakistan diplomacy will yet again fail in this dialogue, to get some benefits for Pakistan.
Iran is a non-friendly neighbour ; tread with them carefully and firmly.
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Mar 31, 2015 04:30pm
@HAIDER -dear, I am against all fights in the region. One can say people fighting against Asad regime are also fighting for freedom. What about Kashmir fighters fighting for over 60 years ow, I suggest we stop taking sides and stop supporting the unorganized civilians to avoid civil wars. We need to bring everyone to the negotiation table and discuss the issues instead of one sided double standard sympathies. Peace
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Mar 31, 2015 04:36pm
Iran and KSA should stop playing proxy wars through other countries. They have destablised the whole Muslim world. If its Yemen now, it could be Pakistan next where KSA and Iran will try (they already do).
Its funny Iran want to negotiate on Yemen? why it means they are the one who created this chaos at first place only to have a pro iranian government next door to Saudi Arabia!
Same goes for Palestine West Bank and Gaza, Syria and Iraq!
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Mar 31, 2015 04:43pm
It is Saudi Arabia who has given billions of dollars to Pakistan not Iran. There are no free lunch in this world. Pakistan has no option but to obey Saudi Arabia.
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Mar 31, 2015 05:04pm
The middle eastern conflict has been given political colour. However, it is all because of flawed and cruel policies of rulers. Now the people have raised themselves against the state's oppression and they want equal rights and share. It was the matter of human rights in toto but now it has been changed to a sectarian conflict with Saudi supporting fugitive president Hadi and Iran backing forces fighting against Hadi. Pathetic
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Mar 31, 2015 05:29pm
@Kalandar No that means that Iran will beg pakistan not to intervere because they know once pakistan army will ingolve in the Yemen war it will be game over for Iran
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Mar 31, 2015 05:38pm
@Mehtab this is mere propaganda. There are no angels on either side. Please don't present it to us a a war between good and evil! War is the evil. Yamen was a divided country prior to 1996, perhaps it is time to separate the tribes again
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Mar 31, 2015 06:39pm
I wish Saudi Arabia is so enthusiastic when Palestine or Lebanon is attacked or when Daesh is taking over large swaths of land. One thing I do not understand is that has someone attacked Saudi Arabia or is Saudi Arabia attacking another country? From what I heard from local Pakistani's interview in Yemen, local Yemenis both Sunni and Shia (except AQAP) are against Saudi attack. Turkey and Iran were the only Muslim countries that helped Pakistan during the 1965 and 1971 wars. PAF planes used to land in Iran because our own airports were within reach of Indian aerial attack. Yet this is being portrayed as if Iran has attacked Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.
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Mar 31, 2015 06:47pm
If Pakistan interferes with Iranian interests it will be justified if Iran cooperates with India against Pakistan. Therefore Pakistan should be careful about its actions. Our lot is tied with Iran not the Arabs.
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Mar 31, 2015 11:55pm
Pakistan's priority should be to develop and maintain excellent relations with its neighbors like Iran before it goes out to help the repressive Saudi clan. Pakistan should never be for sale.
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Apr 01, 2015 04:07am
Pakistan should play as a mediator and Saudi offence should never be supported.
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Apr 01, 2015 05:56am
Iran would have played havoc with Arab countries beside neighbors if there were no sanctions. Iran should not export sectarianism into other countries and should concentrate on the welfare of their own population.
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Apr 01, 2015 09:00am
@Honey Badger
Then Saudia should try it first.
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