Warns that such unwarranted aggression could undermine ongoing peaceful efforts, conducive environment for dialogue
The military leadership on Tuesday strongly condemned the recent Iranian attacks on Saudi Arabia’s petrochemical and industrial complexes, terming them an “unnecessary escalation” that threatened to spoil mediation efforts to bring the Mideast crisis to an end.
Iran earlier attacked a petrochemical complex in Saudi Arabia’s Jubail industrial city, located in the Eastern province. The Foreign Office expressed “its deep concern and unequivocal condemnation” of the missile and drone attacks.
In a statement issued today, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the army’s top brass also condemned the attacks in the 274th Corps Commanders’ Conference at General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi.
“The forum noted with concern and vehemently condemned latest attacks on KSA’s petrochemical and industrial complex as an unnecessary escalation which spoils sincere efforts to resolve the conflict through peaceful means. Forum noted that restrain and calibration so far exhibited by KSA, despite grave provocations, enabled mediation and diplomatic resolution, however, such unwarranted aggressions have serious repercussions, to spoil the ongoing peaceful options and conducive environment,” the ISPR said.
The forum also appreciated the government’s efforts to bring an end to the war in the Middle East and echoed the call for restraint, dialogue, and de-escalation, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to principled diplomacy and constructive engagement.
The military leadership reiterated Pakistan’s role as a responsible regional stakeholder, actively contributing to peace and stability as a “regional security stabiliser”.
Tensions in the Middle East escalated sharply after US and Israeli air strikes last month assassinated Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several senior officials, triggering a wave of retaliation from Tehran and widening the conflict across the region.
In response to the strikes, Iran launched retaliatory attacks on US military bases in several Gulf countries, significantly expanding the scope of the confrontation.
Since then, Pakistan has emerged as a key mediator and ramped up its efforts to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East after US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran, which prompted Tehran to launch attacks on Israel and US military bases in the Gulf.
To ease tensions, Pakistan also hosted a quadrilateral foreign ministers’ meeting in Islamabad, with representatives from Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt. The meeting grabbed the world’s attention and was widely appreciated for Pakistan’s efforts.
Military leadership vows to continue ‘Operation Ghazab Lil Haq’
The forum undertook a comprehensive review of the prevailing internal and external security environment and reaffirmed that all terrorists would be pursued and eliminated. “All terrorist proxies operating at the behest of India and other external sponsors, along with their facilitators and abettors, will be pursued relentlessly and without exception,” the Corps Commanders’ Conference said.
The forum said the pace of Operation Ghazab Lil Haq, launched on Feb 27 in response to unprovoked action from across the Afghan border, would be maintained until the elimination of terrorist safe havens and the use of Afghan soil against Pakistan is decisively brought to an end.
The forum categorically rejected what it described as persistent disinformation, baseless allegations, and false flag narratives attributed to India, noting that “such tactics stand discredited internationally”.
It also expressed concern over continued human rights violations by Indian authorities in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, and noted a recent spate of “fake encounters” at various locations to cover up extrajudicial killings.
Also Read: Dar urges collective efforts for Middle East peace talks with world leaders
In his concluding remarks, the Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces directed commanders to maintain the highest standards of operational readiness, professionalism, and adaptability, while expressing full confidence in the armed forces’ ability to counter all forms of threats and ensure Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The Forum also offered Fateha for the Shuhada of the Armed Forces, Law Enforcement Agencies, and innocent civilians who laid down their lives in defence of the motherland while also paying solemn tribute to their unmatched sacrifices, the Forum reaffirmed that their legacy remains the bedrock of Pakistan’s national security.
CDF Munir expressed his satisfaction and commended the Pakistan Armed Forces for their unwavering professionalism, operational excellence, and steadfast commitment towards defence of the country and sustained, intelligence-based counter-terrorism operations.
“Through the synergy of the Government, Armed Forces, and the people, Pakistan continues to consolidate security gains, strengthen economic resilience, and enhance its regional and global standing”, he underscored.
