UAE-based newspaper terms Pak Parliament's Yemen resolution 'disappointing, shrouded in mystery'

After Pakistan's Parliament decided to refrain from participating in the Saudi-led offensive in Yemen, an editorial published in a UAE-based newspaper termed the stance "disappointing," "shrouded in mystery" and "full of contradictions."

The editorial published in Gulf News claimed that the statements made by Pakistani officials, stressing their support for Saudi Arabia and Gulf states in the face of Iran's growing dominance, had not "materialized." It added that such contradiction called for suspicion regarding the Pakistani position.

The article said that the "neutral stance" adopted by Pakistan came as a surprise to the Gulf Cooperation Council countries as they had expected that the nation would not hesitate in backing the Arab coalition.

It said that Pakistan had let down the Gulf countries once again and left them confused as it sent mixed messages. The situation in Yemen, which put the strategic security of the Gulf region at stake, called for nothing less than a "conclusive and crystal-clear stance," the editorial said.

The article also warned that Pakistan's "incomprehensible policies" had eroded the depth of their relationship and by endorsing such policies; the nation was risking loss of friends and allies in the region and of its "political credibility."

It said, "Pakistan's latest move reveals that it is perhaps no longer in a position of confidence."

The statements came after Pakistan's Parliament passed a resolution on Friday backing the government's commitment to protect Saudi Arabia's territory from Houthi rebels but stopped short of committing military support to the Saudi-led offensive in Yemen. Riyadh wanted Islamabad to assist them with ground troops, fighter jets and naval ships.