ISLAMABAD - Pakistan and Iran Wednesday agreed there was a need of immediate ceasefire in Saudi-Yemen conflict and resolved to continue joint efforts for peaceful resolution of the issue through political and diplomatic means.
The understanding came during talks between Prime Minister’s Adviser on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz and Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif in Islamabad on Wednesday night.
However, both sides appeared to have divergence on the mechanism for the ceasefire, with Islamabad proposing to route the effort through UNSC while Tehran calling for ending Saudi-led Arab coalition aerial bombing in Yemen.
Senior Pakistani diplomats said that the Iranian foreign minister would be persuaded to come to the common ground when he meets PM Nawaz Sharif on Thursday (today).
Later, at a joint press stakeout, the two leaders said that they have agreed that all stakeholders have to show greater flexibility for ending bloodshed and preparing ground for serious negotiations to resolve the crisis.
Sartaj Aziz said they also agreed on the need for serious efforts to promote greater unity in the Muslim Ummah. He said the framework agreement between Iran and P5+1 is a welcome development and a comprehensive agreement later would assist in expanding economic and trade relations between Pakistan and Iran.
The adviser said they also agreed that a peaceful, stable and united Afghanistan is vital for regional peace and stability.
Aziz said they also concurred on the importance of discouraging terrorism and intensified cooperation for the purpose. He said maintenance of tranquillity on border is a strategic interest for both the countries and they agreed to strengthen institutional mechanism for border management and curb illegal and violent cross-border activities.
Answering a question whether the government would honour outcome of the parliamentary debate on the Yemen issue, Sartaj Aziz said the broad consensus in the parliament is that Pakistan’s involvement in Yemen’s internal civil war situation will not be advisable. Pakistan should not participate in any offensive action, he said. “We should try to mediate, influence and facilitate peaceful dialogue.” At the same time, he said, members of the parliament are expressing solidarity with Saudi Arabia and acknowledging its concerns about instability in the neighbourhood.
Sartaj Aziz said a ceasefire alone will not be a solution to the problem in Yemen. “A more comprehensive resolution on facilitating an intra-Yemeni dialogue, which is also approved by the United Nations, can help in finding a political settlement to this tragic situation,” he said.
Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif said there is need to find a comprehensive political solution of the crisis in Yemen. To a question, he said Iran wants ceasefire, humanitarian assistance, intra-Yemeni dialogue and a broad-based government. He said Iran is willing to help realise this objective if asked. He said Pakistan and Iran will work together for greater unity in the Islamic world.
“The people of Yemen should not have to face aerial bombardment,” Zarif said in response to questions, adding: “We need to work together to find a political solution.“ The minister said, “It is up to Yemen how it wants to do it. We can only facilitate as countries in the region... but these are the four lines on which my [Iran’s] government has been operating.“ He said his talks with Turkey, Oman, and now Pakistan revolved around four major lines: “Ceasefire, humanitarian assistance, intra-Yemeni dialogue and broad-based government.”
The Iranian foreign minister said there are a lot of opportunities for Pakistan and Iran to expand their relations in different spheres. He said trade volume is not as it should be. He said, “We will also work together to avoid the kind of incident in which eight Iranian guards were killed day before yesterday in Sistan-Balochistan.”
Zarif arrived in Pakistan for a two-day visit earlier in the day. Soon after arrival, he met Sartaj Aziz and shared details of the Iran-Turkey talks held in Tehran the other day.
Zarif reached Islamabad from Oman.