Islamabad: In stunning development on foreign affairs front, Pakistan has decided to call back its envoy from Iran following Tuesday’s violation of its airspace and strike inside Pakistani territory, which resulted in deaths of two children while injuring three girls.

According to statement issued by Foreign Office, Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said Islamabad has also suspended all visits of its officials to Iran.  Pakistan has also asked Iranian Ambassador in Islamabad, who is currently visiting his home country, not to return, spokesperson added.

In statement issued, Foreign Office said, “Last night’s unprovoked and blatant breach of Pakistan’s sovereignty by Iran is violation of international law and purposes and principles of Charter of United Nations. This illegal act is completely unacceptable and has no justification whatsoever.

Pakistan reserves right to respond to this illegal act. Responsibility for consequences will lie squarely with Iran.  “We have conveyed this message to Iranian government. We have also informed them that Pakistan has decided to recall its Ambassador from Iran and that Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan who is currently visiting Iran may not return for time being.

We have decided to suspend all high level visits which were ongoing or were planned between Pakistan and Iran in coming days.”  Pakistan strongly condemned unprovoked violation of its airspace by Iran and strike inside Pakistani territory, which resulted in death of two innocent children while injuring three girls.

In statement, Foreign Office said, “This violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty is completely unacceptable and can have serious consequences.”

Statement reads, “It is even more concerning that this illegal act has taken place despite existence of several channels of communication between Pakistan and Iran. Pakistan’s strong protest has already been lodged with concerned senior official in Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tehran.

FO spokesperson said that Iranian charge d’affaires had been summoned to Ministry of Foreign Affairs to convey our strongest condemnation of this blatant violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty and that responsibility for consequences will lie squarely with Iran.”

In a startling revelation, Tehran’s top diplomat Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian openly acknowledged that Iranian armed forces had launched targeted attack on what they termed as an “Iranian terrorist group” operating within Pakistani territory. Admission came during World Economic Forum in Davos Switzerland, where Foreign Minister insisted that no Pakistani nationals had been targeted in strike. In statement, MOFA said, “This violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty is completely unacceptable and can have serious consequences.”

Tensions between Pakistan and Iran run high, as Foreign Office has condemned Iran’s violation of Pakistani airspace and said that Islamabad strongly condemned unprovoked violation. China has asked Pakistan and Iran to exercise “Restraint”, following Islamabad’s claim that Tehran had launched an airstrike on its territory that resulted in deaths of two children.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told routine briefing, “We call on both sides to exercise restraint, avoid actions that would lead to an escalation of tension and work together to maintain peace and stability.” “We consider both Iran and Pakistan as close neighbours and major Islamic countries,” she said.

Iran allegedly launched attacks in Pakistan targeting what it described as two bases of Baloch group Jaish al-Adl, state media reported, potentially further raising tensions in Middle East already roiled by Israel’s war on Hamas in Gaza Strip.

Iranian state media reported that bases were “Hit and destroyed” by missiles and drones, without elaborating. Other media reports claimed that Iran’s Revolutionary Guards carried out “Ballistic missile strikes” at multiple locations on Iran-Pakistan Border.

An open-source intelligence monitor claimed Revolutionary Guards announced they carried out attack using ballistic missiles as well as “One-way suicide drones” against “Anti-Iran terrorist groups”.

Published in The Daily National Courier, January, 18 2024

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