Islamabad, Pakistan has declared its lack of intention to escalate the situation with Iran, emphasizing respect for Iranian sovereignty and a focus on dialogue to address common challenges.

According to Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the announcement was made during a weekly news briefing in Islamabad by Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch. She clarified that the military strikes conducted earlier in the day were aimed at terror hideouts within Iran and were not targeting the country or its institutions. The action was described as a pursuit of Pakistan’s security and national interest, which remains a top priority.

The spokesperson reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to maintaining peaceful relations with all regional countries, including Iran. Continued engagement with Tehran was highlighted as essential to ensuring regional peace and coordinating efforts to combat terrorism. She expressed the strong bond and mutual respect shared between the peoples of Pakistan and Iran, underlining the importance of dialogue and cooperation in confronting challenges like terrorism.

In response to a question, the spokesperson emphasized the sanctity of Pakistan’s security and sovereignty, affirming the country’s readiness to protect itself. She firmly denied any prior information being shared with Pakistan before Iran’s action two nights ago.

Baloch referred to the surprising nature of Iran’s action, given the positive development of bilateral relations between Pakistan and Iran last year. She stressed the existence of communication channels for sharing concerns and hoped that Iran would refrain from actions that could undermine mutual trust and confidence.

In light of these developments, caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, currently attending the World Economic Forum in Davos, has decided to cut short his visit. This decision reflects the seriousness with which Pakistan is addressing the ongoing situation.