Islamabad: Pakistan on Sunday reacted sharply to the UAE's condemning of a parliamentary vote by Pakistani lawmakers to not get militarily involved in the Yemen conflict as the two allies engaged in a war of words over the issue.
Saudi Arabia had asked Pakistan to provide troops, jets and warship to its 10-nation coalition that has launched a military campaign in Yemen against the Houthis.
Pakistan's parliament on Friday voted unanimously against military involvement in the Yemen war, tacitly rejecting a call by oil-rich Saudi Arabia to become part of its coalition.
Pakistan's avoidance to get involved in the conflict has drawn the ire of UAE minister of state for foreign affairs Anwar Gargash who lashed out at the country's vote on his Twitter account yesterday, terming it "contradictory and dangerous and unexpected".
He accused Islamabad of siding with Iran, which is accused of backing the rebels.
Gargash said Pakistan's stand would come at a high cost.
Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar today hit back at Gargash's remarks, terming the threat as "ironic".
"This is not only ironic but a thought-provoking moment that a minister of UAE is hurling threats at Pakistan," he said.
Nisar said the UAE minister had violated diplomatic norms.
"Pakistan is an honoured nation and has brotherly emotions for the people of UAE along with Saudi Arabia, but this statement of an Emirati minister is equal to an offence against the ego of Pakistan," he said.
The Interior Minister maintained that the Pakistani nation is aware of its prestige and knows well to restore it.
Pakistan traditionally has very warm ties with the UAE and more than 1.4 million Pakistanis work in the Gulf state, which has invested heavily in the country.
Chairman of the Arab Parliament in the Arab league Ahmad Bin Mohammad Al Jarwan has also expressed disappointment with Pakistan for remaining neutral in the war.
Pakistan has announced to arrange peace among the warring parties with the help of Turkey but the chances of ceasefire are slim as Saudis have rejected to halt the attack till the Houtis are defeated and the ousted Yemen government is restored.
