ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s foreign office on Thursday urged both Iran and South Korea to exercise restraint and resolve their differences under international law.
The statement was issued after South Korea moved its forces near the Strait of Hormuz after Iran seized its oil tanker along with the crew on Monday.
“We have noted the development [in the Strait of Hormuz]. We urge all sides to exercise restraint,” the foreign office spokesman, Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri, said in a press briefing in Islamabad.
“All the differences pertaining to maritime affairs should be resolved as per international laws,” he added.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard stormed the South Korean tanker earlier this week and forcefully took it to an Iranian port nearby.
The South Korean Navy sent its destroyer to the area amid escalating tensions. A South Korean delegation also left for Iran on Thursday to negotiate an early release of the oil tanker and its crew.
“A dangerous situation is developing in the area that must wisely be addressed in this early stage. Any disturbance in this part of the world, which contributes about 65 percent to the world oil trade, should be a matter of grave concern. The stakes are high for every country,” retired naval officer and maritime affairs expert, Rear Admiral Saleem Akhtar, told Arab News.
He added that the development was particularly challenging for Pakistan due to its close proximity to the Strait of Hormuz.
“Our 95 percent of the trade comes from this place,” he said. “If it escalates, it can be a very dangerous situation for Pakistan. It will affect our merchant ships and make trade far more expensive and difficult.”
Pakistan should use its close relations with Iran to deescalate the situation and mediate, Akhtar suggested.
Another maritime affairs expert, Vice Admiral Khan Hasham bin Saddique, said it was a good sign that South Korea had sent its delegation to Iran to diplomatically resolve the issue.
“The Strait of Hormuz is extremely important for the whole region. A diplomatic solution to the problem is good for everyone in the neighborhood and since peace in this area is vital to international trade,” he told Arab News.
Pakistan urges restraint from Iran after South Korea tanker seizure
https://arab.news/5wdh3
Pakistan urges restraint from Iran after South Korea tanker seizure
- Iran's Revolutionary Guard recently stormed a South Korean oil tanker and took it to a nearby port
- All differences pertaining to maritime affairs should be resolved as per international law, says the foreign ministry
Pakistan joins 22 Muslim states, OIC to condemn Israeli FM’s visit to Somaliland
- Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar visited breakaway African region of Somaliland on January 6
- Muslim states urge Israel to withdraw Somaliland recognition, respect Somalia’s sovereignty
ISLAMABAD: A joint statement by Pakistan, 22 other Muslim states and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Thursday condemned Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar’s recent visit to Somaliland as a violation of the African nation’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
Saar’s visit to Somaliland capital Hargeisa on Jan. 6 followed Israel’s move last month to recognize Somaliland, a breakaway region from Somalia, as an independent country. The move drew a sharp reaction from Muslim states, including Pakistan, who said it was in contravention of the UN Charter and international norms.
Several international news outlets months earlier reported that Israel had contacted Somaliland over the potential resettlement of Palestinians forcibly removed from Gaza. Muslim countries fear Israel’s recognition of the breakaway region could be part of its plan to forcibly relocate Palestinians from Gaza to the region.
“The said visit constitutes a clear violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia, and undermines established international norms and the United Nations Charter,” the joint statement shared by Pakistan’s foreign office, read.
The joint statement was issued on behalf of 23 Muslim states, including Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Egypt, Iraq, Iran, Palestine, Jordan, Kuwait, Türkiye, Oman and others.
It reaffirmed support for Somalia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, pointing out that respect for international law and non-interference in the internal affairs of sovereign states was necessary for regional stability.
“Encouraging secessionist agendas are unacceptable and risk exacerbating tensions in an already fragile region,” the statement said.
The joint statement urged Israel to revoke its recognition of the breakaway region.
“Israel should fully respect Somalia’s sovereignty, national unity and territorial integrity and honor its obligations in compliance with international law, and demand immediate revocation of the recognition issued by Israel,” the statement read.
Somaliland broke away from Somalia unilaterally in 1991 as a civil war raged in the country. Somaliland has its own constitution, parliament and currency, a move that has infuriated Somalia over the years as it insists the region is part of its territory.
