Jake GodinPakistan is staying out of the Yemen conflict. Why?
"As regards the media reports, well, I can confirm that we have been contacted by Saudi Arabia in this regard. The matter is being examined," said Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Tasneem Aslam.
"The question is that the resolution has moved to be adopted. All those in favor of the resolution may say aye. All those in favor, say no. The ayes have it."
In a move of defiance against its ally Saudi Arabia, Pakistan's parliament voted unanimously Friday to remain neutral in the ongoing conflict in Yemen. (Video via Aaj TV)
"Desires that Pakistan should maintain neutrality in the Yemen conflict so as to be able to play proactive diplomatic role to end the crisis," said Pakistani Minister of Finance Ishaq Dar.
The vote comes five days after Pakistan's defense minister announced Saudi Arabia had directly requested its military support in a Saudi-led coalition taking place in Yemen.
Along with asserting Pakistan's neutrality, the 12-point resolution calls for a cease-fire, warning if the crisis continues, it could plunge the region into turmoil. (Video via Pakistan Television Corporation)
When Saudi Arabia began its military intervention in Yemen in late March, it was speculated that Pakistan would join its Sunni ally. (Video via Al Jazeera)
That's because, for one, Saudi Arabia is one of Pakistan's most important economic partners. The Gulf kingdom gave Pakistan $1.5 billion in financial aid last year and is one of Pakistan's biggest sources of oil.
Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif also has close ties to Saudi Arabia, which took him in and saved him from execution after he fled Pakistan during the country's 1999 coup.
So if the two are such close allies, why did Pakistan just refuse to help Saudi Arabia?
For starters, the decision wasn't up to Prime Minister Sharif. The Pakistani leader, who ultimately has the say on what the country's military does, said he'd let parliament decide. (Video via Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty)
There's also the issue of Iran, Pakistan's neighbor. Saudi Arabia claims Iran is backing Zaidi Shia Houthi rebels in Yemen as part of a larger proxy war over influence in the Middle East. (Video via Al Arabiya)
If Pakistan were to enter the conflict, it could risk upsetting its neighbor and possibly inflaming sectarian violence within its own country between Shiite and Sunni Muslims. (Video via Voice of America)
Saudi Arabia's war is also increasingly looking like it's not going to dislodge the Houthis from power anytime soon — meaning Pakistan's involvement could possibly drag it into what one Washington Post writer describes as Saudi Arabia's Vietnam. (Video via YouTube / قلعة الشموخ)
Pakistan didn't completely leave out the possibility of lending its military aid to Saudi Arabia, though. When passing the resolution, lawmakers said they'd reconsider their stance should the conflict cross over into Saudi Arabia.
This video includes an image from Getty Images.
