ISLAMABAD: Terming the in-camera briefing on Saudi-Iran conflict, by Adviser to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz ‘unsatisfactory’, the opposition senators on Wednesday staged a walkout.
Senator Aitzaz Ahsan asked what was new in the briefing of Sartaj Aziz. He termed the briefing unsatisfactory and announced walked out as protest.
Sources told Daily times that 28 members belonging to Opposition put tough questions to Aziz, but he had nothing satisfactory except repeating the rhetoric, which were shared by the media a day ago by National Assembly standing committee chairman Owais Leghari after an in-camera briefing on the issue.
Aziz told the in-camera briefing that Pakistan has a neutral policy towards both Saudi Arabia and Iran, but at the same time hinted that in case of any territorial threat to Saudi Arabia, Pakistan would give a befitting response.
The retaliation from Pakistan’s side to stand by Saudi Arabia, according to some senators was isolating Iran, which was also a brotherly Muslim country. However, to a question, the adviser made it clear that the government was making all-out efforts for finding a solution to the crisis between Iran and Saudi Arabia, adding Pakistan’s policy was neutral as it wanted an amicable solution to the crisis.
Not impressed with in-camera briefing by the adviser, the Opposition said it was nothing but ‘wastage of time’, adding the intention of the government was quite clear – it was not ready to take the House as well as the nation onboard on all important matters. As a member of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Pakistan would continue to play its positive role on this issue, adding it would play the role of a bridge to improve relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia, said Aziz.
The briefing by Aziz prompted the Senate chairman Raza Rabbani saying, “if you (adviser) had nothing new to say except what we have heard in the press, what was the need of giving an in-camera briefing.
The sources also quoted Aitzaz Ahsan making objection during the briefing that there was nothing new and the media should be allowed, but it was Senate chairman who interrupted that since the adviser has agreed for an in-camera briefing and the press could not be allowed.
However, he told the adviser that he can share the details of the briefing with the media as there was nothing substantial. But the adviser stuck to his guns and left without interacting with the media after the briefing.
Comments are closed.