Pakistan voices support for Iran's inherent right to self-defence

Istanbul: Pakistan fully supports Iran's inherent right to self-defence under Article 51 of the UN Charter, in response to the blatant and unprovoked Israeli aggression.

This was stated by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar while addressing the 51st session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers in Istanbul on Saturday night.

He said Pakistan strongly condemns Israel's unprovoked aggression against Iran as it poses a grave threat to regional as well as global peace and security.

He said Pakistan remains deeply concerned at the escalating tensions, deepening instability, and humanitarian crises across the Middle East.

Ishaq Dar said Israel's aggression against Iran is not an isolated event, but it is part of a dangerous and consistent pattern of militarism that Israel has demonstrated across the Middle East.

He said Israeli aggression represents a dangerous escalation, and is a serious threat to peace and stability, not only of the region, but the wider world as well.

Commenting on the Israeli aggression against Palestine, the Deputy Prime Minister said Pakistan demands an immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, along with unfettered humanitarian access, and accountability for Israeli war crimes.

Ishaq Dar said lasting peace in the region cannot be achieved without allowing Palestinians their inalienable right to self-determination for a viable, secure, contiguous, and sovereign State of Palestine, based on the pre-1967 borders, and with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.

Turning to recent Pakistan India standoff, the Deputy Prime Minister said our region recently witnessed another act of violation of the principles of the UN Charter in the form of unprovoked and unjustified military aggression by India against Pakistan. In response, Pakistan had no choice but to exercise our right to self-defense. He said by the grace of Allah Almighty, Pakistan repulsed the outrageous Indian attack, downed six of their military Jet -fighter aircrafts, and inflicted heavy damage to several of India's military installations.

About Indus Waters Treaty, Ishaq Dar once again categorically stated that Pakistan will not allow India to stop water for our people. It will be treated as an act of war.

Turning to Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, the Deputy Prime Minister said the unresolved Jammu and Kashmir dispute remains the primary source of conflict in South Asia and a nuclear flash point.

He emphasized the urgent need for renewed and concerted efforts under the UN auspices to secure a just, lasting, and peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute, in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.

Ishaq Dar urged the OIC to once again condemn Indian aggression, implement the OIC Action Plan on Jammu and Kashmir, and support a just resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.