Pakistan says armed forces ‘fully alert' amid Israel's ongoing conflict with Iran
ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar said on Monday that Pakistan's armed forces were 'fully alert' amid Israel's ongoing military conflict with Iran, vowing to safeguard the country's nuclear assets.
Dar's statement came as the military conflict between Iran and Israel entered its fourth day on Monday, with no signs of the two sides letting up. The worst fighting between the regional foes began late Friday when Israel carried out strikes against Iran's nuclear facilities and military leadership. So far, Iran says 224 people have been killed due to Israeli strikes while Tel Aviv has said at least 18 people have been killed by Iran.
During a senate session, opposition lawmaker Shibli Faraz questioned whether Pakistan's nuclear facilities were safe in light of Israel's recent strikes against Iran, urging the government not to be complacent in safeguarding them.
'Israel dare not look to Pakistan,' Dar said in response. 'By the grace of god, Pakistan has the strength to respond to a brick with a stone, to any mala fide [intentions].
'I assure my brother the armed forces of Pakistan are fully alert. As they were alert during the India-Pakistan conflict,' he added.
The deputy prime minister was referring to India and Pakistan's military conflict last month. The two countries pounded each other with missiles, drone strikes, fighter jets and artillery fire in a military conflict that lasted for four days before Washington brokered a ceasefire on May 10.
Dar said the Pakistani nation had developed its nuclear and missile defense system at a great cost and would protect them.
'These are the nation's assets, these are the nation's trust. This is the trust for the coming generation,' he said. 'It is our responsibility to safeguard it unitedly, which we will do, are doing and will do it together.'
Israel sees Iran's nuclear program as a threat to its existence. It said its strikes on Friday were designed to avert the last steps to the production of an Iranian nuclear weapon.
Tehran insists its nuclear program is entirely civilian and it does not seek an atomic bomb. The UN nuclear watchdog, however, reported Iran last week as violating obligations under the global non-proliferation treaty.
Pakistan has criticized Israel in strong words and repeatedly said Iran has the right to retaliate under the UN Charter. Islamabad has also vowed to offer diplomatic support to Iran at international forums.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab News
2 hours ago
- Arab News
Saudi foreign minister holds talks with Egyptian and Pakistani counterparts on OIC sidelines
ISTANBUL: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan held separate meetings on Saturday with his Egyptian and Pakistani counterparts on Saturday. The discussions were held on the sidelines of the 51st session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Council of Foreign Ministers in Istanbul. During talks with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, the two sides reviewed the close relations between the Kingdom and Egypt and discussed regional developments and their impact on the security of the region, the Saudi Press Agency reported. Prince Faisal also met with Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. The discussions focused on bilateral ties, as well as regional and international developments and ongoing efforts to address them, SPA added. Both meetings were attended by Prince Musab bin Mohammed Al-Farhan, advisor to the Foreign Minister for Political Affairs, and Fahd bin Asaad Abu Al-Nasr, Saudi ambassador to Turkiye.
Arab News
3 hours ago
- Arab News
Pakistan highlights India's ‘brazen disregard' for international law over Indus treaty stance
KARACHI: Pakistan on Saturday accused India of showing a 'brazen disregard' for international agreements after New Delhi said it would not restore the decades-old Indus Waters Treaty and divert river waters for internal use. India put into 'abeyance' its participation in the 1960 treaty, which governs the distribution of the Indus river system between the two countries, after 26 civilians in Indian-administered Kashmir were killed in an April gun attack. India blamed Pakistan for the incident, though it denied any involvement. The accord remains dormant since then despite a ceasefire agreed upon by the two nuclear-armed neighbors last month following their worst fighting in decades. Islamabad's statement over the issue came after Indian Home Minister Amit Shah gave an interview to the media, saying New Delhi would not reinstate the treaty that guarantees water access for 80 percent of Pakistan's farms through rivers originating in India. 'The statement reflects a brazen disregard for the sanctity of international agreements,' Foreign Office Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said in a statement. 'The Indus Waters Treaty is not a political arrangement, but an international treaty with no provision for unilateral action.' 'India's illegal announcement to hold the Treaty in abeyance constitutes a clear violation of international law, the provisions of the Treaty itself, and the fundamental principles governing inter-state relations,' he continued. 'Such conduct sets a reckless and dangerous precedent — one that undermines the credibility of international agreements and raises serious questions about the reliability and trustworthiness of a state that openly refuses to fulfill its legal obligations.' The statement further said India's attempt to 'weaponize water for political ends' was irresponsible and in violation of established norms of state behavior. It called on India to 'immediately rescind its unilateral and unlawful stance' and restore the 'full and unhindered implementation' of the treaty. 'Pakistan remains firmly committed to the Treaty and will take all necessary measures to protect its legitimate rights and entitlements under it,' the spokesperson added. Earlier in the day, the Indian minister said in his interview New Delhi would divert water by constructing a canal, and that Pakistan would be 'starved' of water it had been receiving 'unjustifiably.' While Islamabad has pursued diplomatic channels to raise awareness of the issue globally, it has also warned that any Indian attempt to block river flows will be treated as 'an act of war.' With input from Reuters
Al Arabiya
4 hours ago
- Al Arabiya
State Department starts assisted departure flights for US citizens in Israel: Ambassador
US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said on Saturday that the State Department has started assisted departure flights from Israel amid its conflict with Iran. He encouraged US citizens and lawful permanent residents in Israel and the West Bank, who want government assistance to department, to complete a form on the department's website. Developing
