Qatar crisis: Opposition calls for joint Parliament session

ISLAMABAD: The Opposition parties demanded on Tuesday a joint session of the Parliament should be called to discuss the diplomatic fallout in the Gulf region, which has resulted in Arab countries severing ties with Qatar.

The demand was put forth in the National Assembly session today, where Opposition leader Khursheed Shah addressed the house.

Khursheed Shah criticised the Saudi alliance and said that on which basis the former army chief was given the NOC.

“What’s the purpose behind the Saudi alliance? How would it work?” said Shah.

Khursheed Shah said that it was the job of the PM to take into confidence the nation over the issue.

He said that the Opposition members would not listen to anyone apart from the PM, adding that he assures that no one will chant slogans upon PM's appearance in the House.

Following Shah’s address, the opposition members walked out of the NA session.

The Opposition parties held a meeting today under Opposition leader in the National Assembly, Khursheed Ali Shah.

The meeting of the Opposition parties came a day after Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff Gen Qamar Bajwa left for Saudi Arabia on a visit aimed at resolving the diplomatic crisis. Before his departure, the premier chaired a consultative session at the Prime Minister House to mull Pakistan's response to the crisis.

Last week, Saudi Arabia, along with Egypt, Bahrain and UAE, cut off all ties with Qatar on its alleged support of extremism and terrorism, as well as ties with Iran.

The diplomatic and business boycott was later adopted by Yemen, one of the Libyan governments, Maldives and Mauritius.

Kuwait is attempting to play the role of a mediator and hopes to diplomatically resolve the crisis.