Islamabad:
Pakistan will sit with peace and ready to play a constructive role in seeking a diplomatic solution to the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict, which the United States has now also become a part, raising the spectrum of a wider regional war, officials said after a civil militarian hug on Monday.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif convened a meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) to discuss the deteriorating situation in the Middle East in the wake of the United States, giving up its 45-year-old Iran policy and launching direct strikes in its nuclear places on Sunday.
Senior booth members, military bosses, including Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and others were present.
The direct involvement of the United States in the Israeli-Iran War has added new and dangerous dimensions to the already unstable region. It has worsened Pakistan’s challenge as it must go a tightening in a war that has direct importance to the country.
Based on this, the civil and military leadership discussed the current situation and Pakistan’s strategy.
Sources who know the development said there was a complete unanimity of views at the meeting that Pakistan must first protect his own national interests and pursue the path of the diplomat.
They added that Pakistan, considering his close ties with Iran and the recent reset with the United States, under the administration of President Donald Trump, had a unique position to mediate an appointment or facilitate a diplomatic solution.
According to sources, Pakistan would use any occasion and not let any stones be turned to prevent further escalation.
An official distribution of the meeting stated that the Prime Minister was chairman of the NSC meeting to review the developing regional situation following Israeli aggression against Iran.
The committee strongly condemned Israel’s aggression and expressed regret that these military attacks coincided with a constructive negotiation process between Iran and the United States.
“These reckless actions have escalated tensions and threatened to ignite a broader conflict and reduce the possibilities of dialogue and diplomacy. NSC confirmed Iran’s right to self-defense as wrapped in the UN Charter,” it said.
The committee conveyed compassion to the government and Iran people about the loss of innocent life and asked for the recovery of the wound.
While repeating Pakistan’s declared attitude, NSC expressed serious concern about the potential for further escalation following the attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan on June 22, which violated the decisions of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), relevant international law and uncharted.
Interestingly, the NSC declaration did not explicitly mention the United States or condemned its strikes. However, officials referred to the part of a statement stating that Pakistan repeated his “declared attitude”, which means that previous condemnation declarations issued by the Foreign Office and the Prime Minister were approved by the committee. The officials rejected the perception that there was any change in Pakistan’s attitude.
NSC also confirmed Pakistan’s close commitment with relevant parties and approved its readiness to further continue the efforts and initiatives aimed at promoting regional peace and stability.
NSC urged all relevant parties to resolve the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy in line with the UN Charter. The committee emphasized the need to comply with international human rights and humanitarian laws.
(With input from app)
