Islamabad:
Pakistan will rank on the peace side and ready to play a constructive role in the search for a diplomatic solution to the current Iran-Israeli conflict of which the United States has also been part, raising the specter of a wider regional war, officials said after a civil-military group on Monday.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif summoned a meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) to discuss the deterioration situation in the Middle East following the United States abandoning its 45-year-old Iranian policy and launching direct strikes on his nuclear sites on Sunday.
Higher members of the cabinet, military leaders, including Marshal Syed Asim Munir and others were present.
The direct involvement of the United States in the War of Israel-Iran has added new and dangerous dimensions to the already volatile region. He has aggravated the challenge of Pakistan because he had to walk on a rope in a war that has a direct impact on the country.
In this context, civil and military leaders discussed in detail about the current situation and the Pakistan strategy.
Familiar sources with development indicated that there was a complete unanimity of opinions at the meeting that Pakistan should first protect its own national interests and follow the path of diplomacy.
They added that Pakistan, given its close ties to Iran and recent reset with the United States, under the administration of President Donald Trump, had a unique position to negotiate a agreement or facilitate a diplomatic solution.
According to sources, Pakistan would take advantage of all opportunities and leave no stone not returned to prevent a new escalation.
An official meeting of the meeting said that the Prime Minister had chaired the NSC meeting to examine the development of the regional situation following the Israeli aggression against Iran.
The Committee strongly condemned the acts of aggression of Israel and expressed its regret that these military attacks coincided with a process of constructive negotiation between Iran and the United States.
“These reckless actions have increased tensions, threatening to trigger a broader conflict and reduce the possibilities of dialogue and diplomacy. The NSC has reaffirmed Iran law to self-defense as consecrated in the United Nations Charter,” he said.
The Committee has condelved to the Iranian government and people on the loss of innocent lives and prayed for the restoration of the wounded.
While reiterating the declared position of Pakistan, the NSC expressed its serious concerns about the climbing potential after attacks against Iranian nuclear installations in Fordwow, Natanz and Isfahan on June 22, which violated the resolutions of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), relevant international law and the charter of the United Nations.
Interestingly, the NSC declaration has not explicitly mentioned the United States or condemned its strikes. However, the officials referred to the part of a statement where he said that Pakistan reiterated his “declared position” implying that the previous conviction reports issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Prime Minister were approved by the Committee. The officials rejected the perception that there was a change in the position of Pakistan.
The NSC has also reaffirmed the close commitment of Pakistan with the relevant parties and has approved its desire to continue efforts and initiatives aimed at promoting regional peace and stability.
The NSC called on all the parties concerned to resolve the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy, in accordance with the United Nations Charter. The Committee underlined the need to join international human rights and humanitarian laws.
(With application input)
