Pakistan may have good relations with the United States but that does not mean Islamabad would support Washington's actions that it deems not right, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said here on Friday, dispelling the impression that Pakistan would follow the US policy on all issues.
Speaking at a news conference, Dar said there were speculations that Pakistan would not take a clear stance against the United States after it bombed three nuclear sites of Iran.
But Pakistan, Dar said, issued a statement taking a firm position against such strikes. He emphasised that having good relations with the U.S. does not mean supporting them when they are in the wrong.
The Trump Administration abandoned the 45-year-old policy of the United States not to launch a direct strike on Iran when it sent B-2 bombers and targeted nuclear facilities through bunker buster bombs.
Pakistan condemned the US strikes and said Iran had the right to respond to such attacks. "We were aware that Iran would not remain silent without retaliating. In response, Iran targeted the US base in Qatar. Iran has now come out of this crisis with dignity after taking its revenge. The ceasefire between Iran and Israel is still holding," Dar continued.
He further said that Iran appreciated Pakistan's efforts at the UN Security Council and expressed gratitude in its Parliament. During the Iranian President's address, the Parliament echoed with chants of "Thanks to Pakistan." In the background, Pakistan was extending full political support to Iran to ensure it wasn't isolated or undermined in this crisis.
Dar added that particularly when the U.S. attacked Iran and Pakistan's Army Chief was returning to the country, upon Pakistan's suggestion, he stopped in Istanbul. A meeting had already been confirmed with President Erdogan. The meeting included the Field Marshal, the Foreign Minister (Dar), and Pakistan's ambassador. On the Turkish side were President Erdogan, the Turkish Foreign Minister, the intelligence chief, and senior members of the leadership. The focus of the meeting was the Iran issue.
According to Dar, Iran informed Pakistan that although it was peaceful and not in favor of developing nuclear weapons, it would not refrain from responding to the US strike. Iran coordinated with Qatar before launching its retaliatory attack on the US airbase located there.
The Foreign Minister also highlighted that, thanks to Pakistan's initiative, a meeting of the OIC Contact Group on Occupied Kashmir was also convened. He recalled that Pakistan, Iran, and Turkey were the founding members of RCD (Regional Cooperation for Development), which was later expanded into ECO (Economic Cooperation Organization).
To a question, Dar said Pakistan would not request or ask anyone to persuade India to start talks with Pakistan. "We are not begging for talks. We are not asking anyone to persuade India to talk to us," he explained.
The Foreign Minister said Pakistan was not shy away from holding talks with India. The Indian Foreign Minister said New Delhi would only engage with Pakistan on the issue of terrorism, Dar said adding that Pakistan was ready to discuss the issue of terrorism as well as Kashmir and Indus Waters Treaty. "There are 200 countries and I am sure Pakistan and India can find a suitable venue for talks," he said.
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