Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday declared Pakistan’s unwavering solidarity with the brotherly people and government of Iran in the face of what he termed Israel’s unprovoked and unjustified aggression.
In a telephonic conversation with Iranian President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian, Prime Minister Shehbaz vehemently condemned the Israeli attacks against Iran, asserting that they constituted a violation of Tehran’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
He added that Iran possessed the inherent right to self-defense, as stipulated under Article 51 of the UN Charter. Expressing heartfelt condolences over the tragic loss of precious lives in the attacks, the premier recalled Pakistan’s vocal support for Iran during the UN Security Council’s emergency meeting held yesterday.
Prime Minister Shehbaz denounced Israel’s blatant provocations and adventurism as a grave threat to both regional and global peace and stability. He further condemned Israel’s relentless and unchecked genocidal campaign against the valiant Palestinians, carried out with complete impunity.
He urged the international community and the United Nations to take urgent and credible measures to put an end to Israel’s aggressive behavior and its illicit actions. He affirmed that Pakistan remains fully committed to promoting peace in the region and stands ready to play a constructive role in this context.
President Pezeshkian expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Shehbaz for Pakistan’s support and solidarity with Iran during this challenging period, particularly at the UNSC. He emphasized that this gesture was a clear reflection of the close and fraternal relations between the two nations.
The Iranian president also briefed the prime minister on Iran’s perspective regarding the crisis with Israel and urged the international community, especially Islamic countries, to collaborate closely to counter these threats. Both leaders agreed to maintain close contact.
The Middle East found itself plunged into a perilous new chapter of conflict following an unprecedented escalation of hostilities between Israel and Iran on Friday. What commenced as a targeted Israeli bombing raid against Iran’s senior military leadership and top nuclear scientists rapidly spiraled into a full-blown conflict, with both sides exchanging significant blows and the future of regional stability now precariously balanced.
Reports indicate that the heads of both Iran’s entire military and its Revolutionary Guards were killed in the opening hours of the conflict, and Iranian air defenses reportedly suffered a massive hit. Israel reportedly incurred minimal losses and faced no immediate major retaliation in the initial phase.
However, the situation dramatically shifted later on Friday night, when Iran launched a barrage of missiles across Israel. This counterattack reportedly overwhelmed Israel’s Iron Dome defenses. This development has intensified concerns about the long-term implications and the potential for widespread regional destabilization.
