LONDON:
PML-N President and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif has condemned Israel’s ongoing actions against Iran, deploring them acts of “oppression and excess” and reaffirmed Pakistan’s solidarity with the Iranian people.
In a brief interaction with journalists outside the Avenfield residence in London, Nawaz Sharif said Israel was currently committing “oppression and injustice”.
“We were with Iran and we will continue to stand with Iran.”
The former premier’s statement came amid escalating regional tensions following Israeli strikes inside Iranian territory, drawing widespread condemnation from across the Muslim world.
Pakistan, in official statements, has firmly supported Iran’s right to self-defense and denounced Israel’s military aggression, calling it a violation of international law.
Commenting on Pakistan’s defense posture, Nawaz Sharif said that being a nuclear power was a blessing for the country, but added that the intent behind acquiring nuclear capability was to promote peace, not war.
“Pakistan being a nuclear country is a matter of good fortune,” he said. “We became a nuclear power not to wage war, but to establish peace.”
He called for global efforts toward stability and coexistence.
“There should be peace in the world,” the former premier asserted. “Israel has wronged Iran. What is happening is oppression. Just attacking someone like that and burning them down this is not acceptable. In what kind of society does this happen?”
He said that Pakistan remained aligned with Iran against Israeli atrocities.
“Pakistan stood with Iran against Israeli atrocities and will continue to stand by it,” he added.
The comments by the three-time prime minister come as Pakistan has condemned the Israeli actions, rejecting Tel Aviv’s military action that has entered its fifth day, while advocating restraint, dialogue and adherence to international norms.
