Urges political parties to adopt united stance as the country passes through sensitive period
Federal Minister for Law Azam Nazeer Tarar. PHOTO: EXPRESS/FILE
Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said on Thursday that the government was fully vigilant and actively working for de-escalation between the United States and Iran amid escalating tensions in the region.
Tensions in the Middle East escalated sharply after US and Israeli air strikes last week assassinated Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several senior officials, triggering a wave of retaliation from Tehran and widening the conflict across the region. In response to the strikes, Iran launched retaliatory attacks on US military bases in several Gulf countries, significantly expanding the scope of the confrontation.
Pakistan’s leadership has since ramped up its diplomatic efforts to play its part in managing the tensions, particularly between Iran and the Gulf states.
Speaking in the Senate today, Tarar said Pakistan had consistently pursued a policy aimed at reducing tensions and had taken swift diplomatic steps following recent developments.
He told the House that Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar contacted his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi within two hours of the incident to discuss the situation and prevent the dispute from spreading further.
Tarar said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was holding multiple meetings each day to review developments relating to Afghanistan, Iran and the Gulf region.
According to the minister, a crisis cell has also been established at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to monitor the evolving situation and coordinate the government’s response.
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PM Shehbaz has also urged de-escalation and dialogue to preserve peace in the Middle East during talks with the heads of Gulf and Muslim countries.
The killing of Khamenei has opened a new chapter of escalation and instability in the Middle East. To reduce tensions. FM Dar, in a briefing to ambassadors from several countries, said that Pakistan was closely monitoring the regional situation and working to reduce tensions through diplomatic efforts.
He added that Pakistan was closely monitoring developments in Iran, with all efforts focused on easing tensions, calling the situation “extremely delicate”.
Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah said a day ago that Pakistan was acting as a mediator between Saudi Arabia and Iran to defuse tensions.
US Consulate shooting in Karachi
Calling for political unity, Tarar said the country was passing through a sensitive period and urged political parties to adopt a united stance on matters concerning Pakistan’s sovereignty and regional stability.
He also emphasised the need to respect the sanctity of diplomatic premises and urged restraint from both protesters and law enforcement authorities, noting that such facilities were protected under international law, apparently referring to the controversial shooting at the US Consulate in Karachi that led to deaths.
Tarar said embassy buildings and diplomatic missions were considered the territory of the respective country under international law and must therefore be treated with the utmost respect.
“Diplomatic premises are treated as the territory of the respective state, which is why the country’s flag is flown over them,” he said, adding that both demonstrators and authorities should remain mindful of the sensitivities involved.
