New Delhi. Amid the increasing war and tension in West Asia, Pakistan has come into active mode. It has openly declared its support for Iran. Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Tuesday that Pakistan will support Iran in the United Nations, OIC and all other international forums. Not only this, Pakistan is also getting closer to Saudi Arabia and Qatar amid tension in the Middle East. The Pakistan government met the diplomats of Saudi Arabia and Qatar and discussed the rapidly changing situation.

The official statement issued by the Pakistan Foreign Office said that Pakistan expresses deep concern over the tension which is threatening regional security and urges all parties to exercise restraint and abide by international law.

Telephone conversation with Iranian President
Prime Minister Sharif on Tuesday had a telephone conversation with Iran’s newly elected President Masoud Pezeshkian. During this, Sharif said that Pakistan is closely following developments in West Asia and believes that dialogue and diplomacy are the only way to establish peace.

He stressed that Pakistan fully supports Iran’s sovereign rights and self-defence. Sharif reiterated that Pakistan recognises Iran’s right to self-defence under Article 51 of the UN Charter.

Iran appreciated Pakistan’s support
Iranian President Pezeshkian also thanked Pakistan for its support during the crisis. He appreciated Pakistan’s constructive role in the peace process and acknowledged that Pakistan has emerged as a principled and permanent ally in this difficult time.

This is the second time the two leaders have spoken on the telephone during the recent conflict. Earlier on June 14, Sharif had strongly condemned Israel’s attacks on Iran and called it a violation of sovereignty and international law.

Saudi Arabia also promises strong support
Prime Minister Sharif also met Saudi Arabian Ambassador Nawaf bin Saeed Al Maliki on Tuesday and said Pakistan stands in full solidarity with the brotherly people of Saudi Arabia. “Pakistan will continue to work closely with Saudi Arabia for peace in the region through dialogue and diplomacy,” he wrote on social media.

Sharif also
met Qatari ambassador Ali Mubarak Ali Eisa Al-Khater and said Pakistan stands with the Emir and people of Qatar, especially after the attack on the US military base ‘Al Udeid Airbase’.

“We express deep concern at the escalation of tensions following the attack on the US base in Qatar and urge all parties to exercise restraint and behave in accordance with international law,” Pakistan’s Foreign Office said in a statement.