Caretaker Prime Minister Anwarul Haq Kakar has cut short his visit to the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos after Islamabad announced that it has conducted military strikes in Iran.
“He has decided to cut short his visit in view of the ongoing developments,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said in her weekly news briefing on Thursday.
Ms Baloch further said that the caretaker foreign minister has also cut short his visit to Ugandan capital Kampala where he is currently attending the Non-Allied Movement Summit.
She further said in the briefing that Pakistan has on multiple occasions shared proof with Iran, adding that Islamabad will not allow anyone to challenge its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
She said Pakistan and Iran maintained strong social and historic brotherly relations, adding that the two countries have shared wide-ranging cooperation and communication in the several sectors, including energy and trade.
“Our response to Iran’s advance warning of an attack is absolutely not,” the spokesperson said, adding that Pakistan had no intentions to enhance enmity with anyone.
“Pakistan has always emphasized dialogue and cooperation. We have always taken the path of negotiations. We will continue to communicate with our neighbours, including Iran, to end terrorism,” the spokesperson said.
Baloch further said she was not yet aware of any third country’s mediation between Iran and Pakistan. She said Pakistan was in touch with Iran for the past several months and considered it a close friend.
“The target of these attacks was not Iran, but the safe havens of terrorist groups. It is hoped that the Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs will have understood the steps taken by Pakistan in its defense,” she stressed.
