Pakistan voices alarm over rising Middle East tensions

June 23, 2025 (MLN): Pakistan has expressed deep concern over the escalating tensions in the Middle East, warning that the situation could spiral out of control with serious consequences for millions of innocent people.

President Asif Ali Zardari urged all parties involved in the conflict to exercise maximum restraint and to choose the path of peace, dialogue, and diplomacy to ensure enduring peace and stability in the region.

He also called upon the international community to play its part in de-escalating the crisis in the interest of regional stability and the well-being of its people, as per the press release issued.

Meanwhile, Pakistan strongly condemned the recent U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, describing them as a blatant violation of international law and a serious threat to regional peace.

In an official statement, the Foreign Office reaffirmed Iran’s inherent right to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter and expressed deep concern over the growing tensions in the Middle East.

The statement further underscored the importance of safeguarding civilian lives and infrastructure amid the escalating conflict, warning that continued hostilities could have severe regional and global consequences.

Pakistan urged all parties to adhere to international humanitarian law and emphasized that diplomacy and dialogue, as outlined in the UN Charter, remain the only viable paths to resolving the crisis.

In a related development, Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, while addressing the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers in Istanbul, condemned Israel’s aggressive actions against Iran.

He described the Israeli attacks as “grave violations of international law” and warned that they posed a significant threat to global stability.

Dar also reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering support for Iran’s right to self-defense and criticized the international community’s double standards in responding to Israeli aggression.

He reiterated that a peaceful resolution to the Iran-Israel conflict can only be achieved through sustained dialogue.

Pakistan’s strong stance outlines its commitment to regional stability and the principles of international law amid the rising tensions in the Middle East.