ISLAMABAD/KARACHI: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Saturday Pakistan stood in “full solidarity” with Saudi Arabia and other Gulf nations following escalating military exchanges in the Middle East, as Israeli and US strikes on Iran triggered retaliatory attacks across the region.
Israel said it had launched a “pre-emptive” attack against Iran, sharply escalating regional tensions and further dimming hopes for a diplomatic solution to Tehran’s long-running nuclear dispute with the West.
US strikes against Iran were also being carried out, with President Donald Trump confirming in a video message that Washington was involved. Iran subsequently targeted American military bases in Gulf states, including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and Jordan, prompting regional governments to issue condemnations.
“I spoke with my dear brother HRH Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman this evening to express Pakistan’s strong condemnation of the dangerous regional escalation following the Israeli attack on Iran and subsequent attacks in the Gulf region,” the prime minister said in a social media post on X.
“Pakistan stands in full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and our brotherly Gulf countries in this perilous time,” he added.
“We remain ready to play a constructive role for peace and pray that the blessings of Ramadan bring calm and stability to our region.”
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a bilateral defense accord last September that elevated long-standing military cooperation into a formal security commitment, with both sides pledging to treat aggression against one as a threat to the other.
The two countries have since stepped up diplomatic and security consultations amid significant global and regional developments.
Sharif also held a telephone conversation with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and condemned the regional escalation that led to attacks in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, alongside other Gulf countries, his office said.
“He assured the UAE leadership of Pakistan’s solidarity and support in the current crisis and said that Pakistan would always stand with its Emirati brothers and sisters, consistent with the close fraternal bonds between both countries, that had withstood the test of time,” the statement added.
‘UNWARRANTED’ ATTACKS
Earlier, Pakistan had criticized the “unwarranted” attacks against Iran and called for an immediate halt to escalating hostilities.
According to an official statement, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar spoke with his Iranian counterpart following the strikes.
“DPM/FM strongly condemned the unwarranted attacks against Iran and called for an immediate halt to escalation through urgent resumption of diplomacy to achieve a peaceful, negotiated resolution to the crisis,” the foreign ministry said on social media platform X after Dar received a call from Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi.
In a separate statement, the ministry regretted the breakdown of talks and the outbreak of hostilities in the Middle East, saying the attacks came at a time when diplomatic efforts were underway to reach a peaceful and negotiated solution to the Iranian nuclear program.
“Such a course of action will undermine the peace and stability of the entire region, with far reaching consequences,” it continued, adding that Pakistan condemned the attacks by Iran against other Muslim countries in the region while calling for maximum restraint.
The statement also mourned the death of a Pakistani national in Abu Dhabi in an Iranian strike which was earlier confirmed by the UAE official news agency.
“Pakistan also condemns the unfortunate death of a Pakistani national in the UAE during this dastardly attack,” the ministry said. “We urge all sides to refrain from any further actions that may undermine the security and territorial integrity of other regional countries.”
It highlighted the need to uphold the international law and principles of the UN Charter, adding that Islamabad wanted all sides to resume diplomacy and find a peaceful and negotiated solution to the crisis.
Earlier, the ministry also advised Pakistani citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Iran.
“For their safety and security, Pakistani nationals are advised to avoid all non-mandatory travel to the Islamic Republic of Iran,” it said.
Pakistan’s ambassador to Iran urged Pakistanis residing there to remain vigilant and keep their travel documents ready, advising those planning to travel to carefully review flight schedules and border timings in light of restrictions announced by Iranian civil aviation authorities.
The embassy also shared emergency contact numbers for Tehran, Zahedan and Mashhad.
FLIGHT DISRUPTIONS
Iran earlier temporarily closed Tehran’s airspace following the US-Israeli strikes, issuing an air navigation notice restricting civil flights between 1130 and 1700 Pakistan Standard Time (PKT).
Airspace closures in Iran affect a key transit corridor used by international airlines flying between Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) said on Saturday that Pakistan’s airspace remained “fully operational and safe.”
“Air traffic control is fully prepared, and all operations are continuing normally, with no delays, restrictions, or safety concerns reported or anticipated at this time,” the PAA said in a statement issued from its headquarters at Jinnah International Airport in Karachi.
However, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) said it had suspended flights to several Gulf destinations due to the evolving security situation in the Middle East.
In a statement issued during the day, the PIA said flights to the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Doha and Kuwait had been suspended and would not operate until at least Sunday evening or until regional airspace restrictions were lifted.
Flights to Saudi Arabia would continue but had been rerouted, it continued, adding that some services had been shifted to Boeing 777 aircraft and would take longer routes to reach their destinations.
Passengers were advised to contact the PIA call center for updated flight information or booking changes.
