After the UN Security Council’s resolution to impose an embargo on the import of arms into Yemen to prevent other countries from supplying weaponry to the Houthi rebels, Pakistan has agreed to help implement the terms of the resolution. The resolution is also aimed at freezing the assets and imposing a travel ban on the Houthi leaders (including Abdul Malik al-Houthi, former President Saleh and his son). No such restrictions have been placed on current President Hadi’s supporters but the UN has urged all nations that trade with Yemen to inspect outgoing cargo for weapons. It is unclear how Pakistan will assist in the implementation of this embargo; Pakistani naval ships may be used to police the ports of Yemen and its surrounding seas to prevent the influx of equipment. While the embargo does apply to all quarrelling parties in Yemen, no restrictions have been placed on the Saudi airstrikes there and no country (except Iran) has condemned this unwarranted attack on Yemen’s sovereignty and its people. The continuing military operation of the Arab coalition is only fuelling strife and worsening the humanitarian crisis in the region. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has asked for Iran’s help in bringing the Houthi rebels to the negotiating table. If the Houthis are to agree to a ceasefire and negotiations, there has to be a gesture of good faith from the other countries and parties involved in the conflict to show that they are serious about an amicable solution to Yemen’s conflict. The rebels will not agree to talks if Saudi operations against them continue. Reports of Iran’s support for the Houthi insurgency aside, Foreign Minister Jawad Zarif put forth a peace proposal in Madrid on April 14, suggesting a ceasefire and humanitarian assistance for Yemen and a dialogue between the embattled Yemeni factions and government. Talks are the best way to deal with the situation in Yemen without further harming its people, infrastructure and crumbling economy. But the fact that the other countries involved in peacekeeping efforts are exhibiting a tilt towards Saudi Arabia, a powerful world oil supplier, does not quell hostilities or create a conducive atmosphere for talks. It is understandable that the Pakistan government is using the cover of the UN Security Council resolution to answer Saudi Arabia’s demands for assistance in their operation in Yemen. The embargo provides the government a means to allay the Arab coalition’s threat that a failure to help them will lead to “grave consequences”, without defying parliament’s decision that the Pak army will not participate in the fighting in Yemen. Despite our ties to Saudi Arabia, Pakistan needs to remain as neutral as possible in this conflict, the fallout of which could be unpredictable and have its own grave consequences. *