Istanbul: Pakistan supports the resolution of Iran nuclear issue through peaceful means, diplomatic engagement, and sustained dialogue.
This was stated by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar during the special session to discuss the situation arising out as a result of Israeli aggression against Iran on the occasion of 51st Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers in Istanbul on Sunday.
Ishaq Dar said 'I would like to welcome the initiative to convene this important session to discuss the situation arising from Israeli aggression against our brotherly OIC Member State, the Islamic Republic of Iran'.
Ishaq Dar said that Pakistan reiterates its condemnation, in the strongest possible terms, of the unjustified and illegitimate aggression committed by Israel against Iran. We stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Iran, and offer our deepest condolences at the loss of numerous lives as a result of targeting of civilian areas by Israel, he said.
Ishaq Dar said that Israeli aggression took place at a time when the IAEA was continuing its verification activities in Iran. Israel has thus violated international law, IAEA Statute and several IAEA resolutions by attacking the IAEA safeguarded facilities, he said.
Ishaq Dar said that these attacks risk setting a dangerous precedent and pose a grave threat to the safety of populations in the region and around the globe. He said that Pakistan fully supports Iran's inherent right to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter, in response to the blatant and unprovoked Israeli aggression.
He said that double standards are on full display when it comes to Israel. There is no talk of the rule of law, the rules-based international order or consequences for illegal actions. This impunity must end.
He said that Israeli aggression against Iran is not an isolated event. It is part of a dangerous and consistent pattern of militarism that Israel has demonstrated across the Middle East, he said.
He said that Israeli aggression represents a dangerous escalation, and is a serious threat to peace and stability, not only of the region, but of the wider world as well.
Ishaq Dar said that as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, at Iran's request, Pakistan fully supported convening an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council last week to discuss Israeli aggression against Iran.
Ishaq Dar said that we expressed our full support and solidarity with Iran during the meeting and called on the Council to urgently take action to end Israeli aggression. But unfortunately, the Council remains paralyzed, he said.
Ishaq Dar said that we have also supported various other initiatives related to Iran, including a statement by the Foreign Ministers of several Islamic countries, as well as within the SCO and the IAEA. We also support the resolution of the Iran nuclear issue through peaceful means, diplomatic engagement, and sustained dialogue, he said.
'I hope that our meeting today will not only express our unwavering solidarity with the brotherly country of Iran, but also send a clear message that Israel must be held accountable, and that its reckless aggression cannot be allowed to jeopardize the peace of the entire region' Ishaq Dar said.