Pakistan condemns Iranian scientist’s assassination

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan on Thursday strongly condemned the assassination of Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, warning such acts threatened the peace and stability of an already fragile region.

“We extend sincere condolences to the family members of Fakhrizadeh and to the Iranian people,” said a foreign office spokesperson at the weekly briefing.

Fakhrizadeh, considered the key nuclear Iranian scientist, was assassinated near Tehran when his car was targeted by a bomb and gun attack. Tehran blamed Israel for being behind his assassination. The New York Times quoting unnamed US intelligence officials confirmed that Fakhrizadeh was assassinated by Israel.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu mentioned Fakhrizadeh by name in his presentation in 2018 and Mossad, the Israeli secret agency, had been after him for many years.

Steve Brennan, the former Central Intelligence Agency chief, termed the assassination of Fakhrizadeh as a ‘criminal and reckless act’ warning that such a move could only create further instability.

Observers believe that the Israeli move might be aimed at preventing the incoming US President Joe Biden to revive the Iranian nuclear deal, which the Trump administration unilaterally withdrew from in 2018.

Pakistan’s unequivocal condemnation of Fakhrizadeh’s assassination is seen as significant.

“Such acts not only run contrary to all norms of interstate relations and international law but also threaten the peace and stability of an already fragile region,” Zahid Hafiz Chaudhri said in his opening remarks at the briefing.

He said Pakistan urged all sides to exercise maximum restraint and avoid further escalation of tensions in the region.

When asked whether Pakistan was willing to play a role in easing tensions as Fakhirzadeh’s assassination might trigger fresh tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia, the spokesperson said Pakistan had always played a role in reducing such tensions.

“You might have noticed that my response in the opening statement to this question had two elements: First, an outright condemnation of this assassination; and second, urging all parties to reduce tensions by resorting to dialogue. We believe that reduction in tensions is essential for regional peace and security,” Chaudhri said.

“Pakistan has always played a role in reducing these tensions, evident from Prime Minister Imran Khan’s offer of the provision of his good offices for reducing tensions and amicable resolution of regional issues. We remain committed to peace in the region, and we will continue to play any role that leads to de-escalation of tensions in the region,” the spokesperson added.

Meanwhile, the spokesperson said the Niamey Declaration, adopted at the conclusion of the CFM, explicitly reiterated “the OIC’s principled position on the Jammu and Kashmir for a peaceful resolution of the dispute in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.”

Chaudhri said: “Inclusion of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in the Niamey Declaration – being an important part of the CFM’s outcome documents – is yet another manifestation of OIC’s consistent support to the Kashmir cause.”

Separately, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi met OIC envoys based in Islamabad to thank them for OIC’s unequivocal support during the 47th CFM Session in Niamey.

FM Qureshi underlined that the unanimous adoption of a comprehensive resolution on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, an explicit reiteration of the OIC’s principled position in the Niamey Declaration, and presentation of the report on the visit of the secretary general’s special envoy for Jammu and Kashmir to Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir reaffirmed the centrality of the Kashmir dispute for the OIC and Muslim Ummah.

The foreign minister also thanked the OIC countries for their support in the adoption of other resolutions of importance to Pakistan – including safeguarding the rights of Muslim minorities in non-OIC states and destruction of Babri Masjid and protection of Islamic holy places.

He also expressed gratitude for the adoption of the Pakistan-sponsored resolution on combating Islamophobia.

The FM added that Pakistan looked forward to hosting the 48th Session of CFM in 2021. He underscored that as a prospective CFM chair and member of the executive committee, Pakistan will constructively engage with the entire OIC membership to promote “unity, peace and prosperity” among the Muslim Ummah.

AJK President Sardar Masood Khan thanked the OIC for its consistent support for the Kashmir cause and solidarity in the wake of the grave situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

The OIC is the second-largest inter-governmental organisation after the United Nations with 57 members and five observer states, spanning over four continents. It also represents the collective voice of Muslim Ummah. Pakistan is a founding member of the OIC.