ISLAMABAD: The Fore­ign Office said on Friday Pakistan had taken steps to comply with the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution calling for restrictions and arms embargo on Yemeni militias.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs today issued SRO. 324(I)/ 2015 in exercise of the powers conferred by section 2 of the United Nations (Security Council) Act, 1948 (XIV of 1948) to implement assets freeze, travel ban and arms embargo and other related obligations in accordance with the relevant provisions of the UN Security Council Resolutions on Yemen,” FO spokesperson Tasnim Aslam said in a statement.

The notification came a day after a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was informed that Islamabad’s readiness to help Saudi Arabia enforce the UN arms embargo had been communicated to Riyadh.

The government is also mulling plans to dispatch navy ships for enforcing the embargo that would involve the inspection of Yemen-bound ships suspected of carrying weapons for Houthi militia and forces loyal to former Yemeni leader Ali Abdullah Saleh.

The government is considering proposals to deploy navy ships for inspection of Yemen-bound vessels

“Pakistan will take all measures to fully implement the provisions of the United Nations Security Council resolutions 2140(2014), 2204(2015) and 2216 (2015) on the situation in Yemen in line with its international obligations,” the spokesperson said.

In another statement, the spokesperson condemned the use of force by Indian troops against Kashmiris in the valley.

“Pakistan deplores the brutal use of force by Indian security forces against peaceful and unarmed Kashmiris,” the spokesperson said.

According to news agency reports, police in India-held Kashmir tear-gassed and fired rubber bullets in Srinagar on Friday at demonstrators, who were protesting the killing of a man by Indian Army and detention of Kashmiri leaders Syed Ali Geelani and Shabir Shah and activist Masarat Alam.

Ms Aslam said Pakistan regards the Kashmiris’ struggle for their right to self-determination legitimate as sanctified by the United Nations Security Council resolutions.

Pakistan, she recalled, has consistently extended diplomatic, moral and political support to Kashmiris struggle for self-determination.

Published in Dawn, April 18th, 2015

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