ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met the ambassadors of Saudi Arabia and Qatar on Tuesday to discuss the rapidly evolving situation in the Middle East, vowing to “work closely” with Riyadh for peace in the region.
Sharif met Saudi Ambassador Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki and Qatari envoy Ali Mubarak Ali Essa Al-Khater separately on Tuesday morning, hours after US President Donald Trump announced Iran and Isreal had agreed to a ceasefire.
Trump announced the “complete and total” ceasefire between Tehran and Tel Aviv through a social media post on Tuesday, with the development taking place after Iran launched a limited missile attack Monday on a US military base in Qatar. Iran said the attack was in response to America’s move to target Tehran’s key nuclear facilities on Sunday.
“I reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering solidarity with the brotherly people of Saudi Arabia,” Sharif wrote on social media platform X about his meeting with Al-Malki. “Pakistan will continue to work closely with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for peace in the region through dialogue and diplomacy.”
Sharif separately shared he also met Qatari envoy Al-Khater to express solidarity with the Gulf country following Iran’s attack on Monday night.
“We pray for the safety and security of our Qatari brothers and sisters, and the entire region,” Sharif wrote. “Pakistan has always advocated dialogue and diplomacy as the only path to lasting peace in the Middle East.”
’DEEP CONCERN’
In statement, Pakistan’s foreign office expressed concern over Iran’s attack targeting Washington’s military base in Qatar.
“Pakistan expresses its deep concern and alarm at the serious escalation in the security situation in the region as a result of attacks against USA’s Al Udeid Air base in Qatar,” the foreign office said.
The foreign office said it condemned the recent violations of the principle of respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries.
“We urge adherence to fundamental principles of international law and call for exercise of restraint by all sides,” it added.
Iran has said that as long as Israel stopped its attacks early Tuesday morning, it would halt theirs. Meanwhile, Israel did not immediately acknowledge any ceasefire but there were no reports of Israeli strikes in Iran after 4 am local time.
Heavy Israeli strikes continued in Tehran and other cities until shortly before that time.
The conflict between the two Middle Eastern foes began on June 13 when Israel launched a surprising attack targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities and military leadership, saying they were aimed at preventing Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
Iran says its nuclear program is for peaceful and civilian purposes, and rejects Israel’s assertion that it wants to develop an atomic bomb. The two have traded frequent airstrikes and missiles since June 13.
Pakistan has condemned Israel’s and America’s strikes against Iran and has repeatedly called for de-escalation in the region. Islamabad has offered diplomatic support to Tehran at international forums and has defended Iran’s right to respond to Israeli aggression under the UN Charter.
