ISLAMABAD: Pakistan does not support any unilateral action and will not become a party to the US-Iran in relation to the recent escalation of tension between the United States and Iran, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said.
While giving a policy statement in Senate, the foreign minister spoke regarding Pakistan’s role in the wake of the killing of top Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani and other officials by a US drone strike on Friday in Baghdad.
The foreign minister said that Pakistan will not become a part of the ongoing US-Iran crisis.
“Our policy is not to add fuel to the fire, neither will we become a part of it,” said the foreign minister.
Qureshi said that Pakistan works on its own set of principles, adding that the region of Middle East cannot afford to have a new war.
“If there is a fire then even we cannot escape its far-reaching effects,” he added.
The foreign minister, in his address, said that Pakistan has also cautioned Iran against any further escalation.
Qureshi calls for ‘active diplomacy’ to de-escalate tensions in Middle East
“Active diplomacy to de-escalate tensions is the need of the hour. Violence must be avoided. We’ll continue with efforts,” said the foreign minister.
Qureshi’s comments reflected what Director General Inter-Services Public Relations Major General Asif Ghafoor had said on Sunday.
The military’s spokesperson had said that Pakistan will only play the role of a peacemaker and not take sides in the ongoing conflict between Washington and Tehran.
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