Islamabad: The Foreign Office on Thursday clarified that Iran has not sought any military assistance from Pakistan nor made any request to relocate Iranian refugees to Pakistani territory, amid height-ened tensions between Tehran and Tel Aviv. Speaking at the weekly press briefing, FO spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan confirmed that no formal request had been received from Iran for defence cooperation or refugee support. “We have not re-ceived any specific request for military support from Iran,” he said, adding, “There has also been no communication regarding the hosting of Iranian refugees.”
The spokesperson noted that around 3,000 Pakistani nationals have returned from Iran in recent weeks, facilitated by Pakistani diplomatic missions.
“We are grateful for the assistance provided by Iranian authorities and commend the hard work of our consulates in Zahedan and Mashhad, as well as our embassy in Tehran. We have a sizable Pakistani community in Iran… So anyone who wants to come, he or she is being assisted to move to Pakistani side,” he added.
Expressing serious concern over escalating hostilities between Iran and Israel, Khan warned of wider regional implications.
“What is happening in Iran is a very serious issue. It imperils the entire regional and global security structure and impacts us deeply. The immediate priority is to find an amicable resolution and halt Is-raeli aggression,” he said.
He reiterated Pakistan’s long-standing position on the issue, condemning Israeli actions and voicing unequivocal support for Iran.
“Pakistan’s position on Iran is clear and consistent. We strongly condemn Israeli aggression and offer our full moral support to the Iranian people,” he said. “Israel’s actions violate Iran’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Under the UN Charter, Iran has the right to defend itself,” he added.
When asked whether Pakistan is attempting to remain neutral in the unfolding Iran-Israel conflict, the spokesperson responded firmly. –Agencies
