ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday said that the use of water as a weapon is unacceptable and Pakistan would defend its right at all costs.
During a telephone conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, the Prime Minister reaffirmed that Pakistan condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
He said Pakistan has no linkage, either direct or indirect, with the Pahalgam attack. He said, in fact, Pakistan has itself been one of the biggest victims of terrorism over the last two decades, in which it lost thousands of lives and billions of dollars.
The attack in the Pahalgam area of the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) on Tuesday left 27 dead.
Prime Minister Shehbaz said Pakistan is ready for a neutral investigation into the Pahalgam incident.
Sharing Pakistan’s position on India’s provocative actions following the Pahalgam incident, the Prime Minister said Pakistan desires peace in the region and would welcome it if Iran also wants to play a role in this regard.
On Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, the Prime Minister emphasized that Pakistan would always stand shoulder to shoulder with the Kashmiri people and it would continue to support them in their just struggle for their right to self-determination as enshrined in various UN resolutions.
During the conversation, the Prime Minister conveyed deepest condolences on behalf of the people and Government of Pakistan to the Iranian President and the people of Iran on the loss of precious lives in the tragic explosion at Shahid Rajaee port at Bandar Abbas earlier on Saturday.
While expressing solidarity with those who lost their loved ones and praying for early recovery of the injured, the Prime Minister said Pakistan stands with the brotherly people of Iran at this difficult hour and would extend all possible assistance.
Iran offers mediation
The President of Iran thanked the Prime Minister for his message of solidarity on the Bandar Abbas tragedy and appreciated Pakistan’s efforts for peace in the region.
He also extended an invitation to the Prime Minister to visit Tehran. The Prime Minister reiterated his invitation to President Pezeshkian to visit Pakistan.
Earlier, in a post on X, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran is ready to mediate between Pakistan and India to de-escalate tensions over the Pahalgam attack.
Araghchi said Tehran stands ready to use its good offices in Islamabad and New Delhi to forge greater understanding at this difficult time.
The Iranian Foreign Minister urged both countries to exercise self-restraint to manage the crisis.
He said India and Pakistan are brotherly neighbours of Iran, enjoying relations rooted in centuries-old cultural and civilizational ties.
