Islamabad:
Pakistan civilian and military leaders will meet in an emergency group on Monday (today) to discuss American strikes on Iran in a development of the watershed that has put the world on an unexplored path with deep consequences.
Islamabad was quick to condemn American strikes as a clear violation of international law and the UN Charter while vehemently rejecting relationships of all complicity in the attack. Officials said neither Pakistan airspace nor any other installation had been used by the United States to make very controversial strikes.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also spoke to the Iranian President and reiterated Pakistan conviction in the United States on three nuclear sites in Iran. Shehbaz will also chair the meeting of the Great Power National Security Committee (NSC).
The meeting of the NSC – to be followed by senior officials of the cabinet and military and intelligence leaders – will take stock of the situation. The main agenda on the table will be how to develop the country’s strategy in the context of the brewing crisis.
Sources said on Sunday that Pakistan’s position was unambiguous even when Israel has launched strikes on Iran about it. Pakistan was against an action that is not caused and reckless by Israel, according to sources.
It is because of this reason that Pakistan was at the forefront to condemn Israeli strikes and extended full diplomatic support to Iran. Islamabad has taken a clear position in the United Nations Security Council (USC), denouncing Israel and saying that Iran has reserved the right to respond.
There was no difference in the Pakistani position when the United States carried out unprecedented strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. Pakistan has faced a difficult situation because it only one day, it officially named US President Donald Trump for a noble price for his role in the ceasefire between India and Pakistan.
The sources said that Pakistan’s decision was to encourage Trump to pursue diplomacy regarding the use of force. This bet, however, did not bear fruit. However, this has not dissuaded the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to publish a solid statement against the United States.
“Pakistan condemns American attacks on Iranian nuclear installations which follow the series of attacks in Israel. We are seriously concerned about the possible climbing of tensions in the region,” the statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs read.
“We reiterate that these attacks violate all the standards of international law and that Iran has the legitimate right to defend itself under the Charter of the United Nations,” said, adding that the unprecedented climbing of tension and violence, due to the continuous aggression against Iran, was deeply disturbing.
“Any new climbing of tensions will have seriously damaging the implications for the region and beyond. We emphasize the imperative need to respect life and civil properties and immediately put the conflict at the end.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed that all parties were to join international law, in particular international humanitarian law. According to the declaration, the use of dialogue, diplomacy, in accordance with the principles of the Charter of the United Nations, was only viable to resolve crises in the region.
In addition, Prime Minister Shehbaz organized a detailed telephone conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and transmitted the condemnation by Pakistan of attacks by U, who followed an unlikely and unjustified assault of Israel in the past eight days.
Prime Minister Shehbaz has reaffirmed Pakistan’s “unshakable solidarity” with the fraternal people and the government of Iran, while expressing sincere condolences on the loss of precious lives and prayed for the rapid recovery of the wounded.
The Prime Minister expressed his concerns that American strikes had targeted facilities that were under the guarantees of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). These attacks have constituted a serious violation of international law and the status of the IAEA.
While noting Iran’s right to self -defense, as devoted to article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations, Shehbaz stressed the need for immediate return to dialogue and diplomacy. He also called for urgent collective efforts to defuse the situation.
The Prime Minister reiterated the will of Pakistan to play a constructive role in this context. Pezeshkian appreciated the support of Pakistan to Iran and thanked the Prime Minister, the Government and the People of Pakistan, including the military leaders, for being in solidarity with Iran.
The two leaders highlighted the need and urgency to forge unity among the Ummah at this critical stage. The two leaders agreed to stay in close contact.
