By Aamir Latif
KARACHI, Pakistan
Pakistan's parliament passed a resolution requesting the government stay neutral in the ongoing Yemen conflict.
Pakistan has been requested by Saudi Arabia to join military operations against the Shia Houthi rebels in Yemen but Pakistan's parliament called on the government to focus on assisting in resolving the conflict through diplomatic means.
Both the lower and upper houses of the parliament have spent five days debating the issue.
"The parliament desires that Pakistan should maintain neutrality in the Yemen conflict so as to be able to play a proactive diplomatic role to end the crisis," the draft resolution read.
Pakistan, a close ally of Saudi Arabia, has been in a fix over whether to accept Saudi Arabia's request for Pakistani warplanes, warships and soldiers.
The resolution also expressed support for the diplomatic efforts of other regional powers, including Turkey, to end the conflict and called for an immediate cease-fire.
While parliament emphasized that Pakistan would support Saudi Arabia against any threat, it said the crisis in Yemen could "plunge the region into turmoil."
