Pakistan: Political parties condemn Iran over violation of Pakistani airspace

Major Pakistani political parties on Wednesday vehemently denounced Iran’s unprovoked invasion of Pakistan’s airspace, stating that the country’s “failed” foreign and defense policies are evident in the country’s severe decline in relations with Iran, which comes after that of India and Afghanistan.

Iranian drones and missiles hit two camps of the Pakistani militant group Jaish al Adl in the Balochistan province’s border town of Panjgur on Tuesday.

Jailed former prime minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) said this “irresponsible and reprehensible act by Iran” will sabotage the possibilities of much-needed unity among the Muslim Ummah in this hour of need.

It said that Iran attempted to ruin the prospects of an inevitable harmony and unity among the ummah with an unprovoked violation of Pakistan’s airspace.

“After India and Afghanistan, the serious deterioration of relations with Iran is very concerning and worrisome which speaks volumes about our failed foreign and defense policies. The claims of Iran’s close allies including Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah pertaining to the strike inside Pakistan were very concerning and gave rise to serious doubts. In February 2019, when India tried to violate Pakistan’s land and airspace, the then elected Prime Minister, Imran Khan, provided strong political leadership and gave a prompt and befitting reply,” the PTI said in a statement.

India’s fighter aircraft entered Pakistani airspace on February 26, 2019, and launched attacks on the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror camp located in Balakot, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, which is located outside the Line of Control.

The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), led by Bilawal Bhutto, urged the government to react to this Iranian move immediately.

The unprovoked strike by Iran inside Pakistan’s border, which resulted in the deaths of two children, is “unacceptable and condemnable,” according to PPP Senator Sherry Rehman.

“Pakistan has no stakes in fanning the flames of such conflict but will obviously have to respond if better sense does not prevail,” the PPP leader said.

PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif said: “I am shocked at the Iranian breach of Pakistani sovereignty. This missile attack is against the spirit of our friendship and principles of good neighbourliness, especially as it undermines the historic relationship between our two countries.”

Shehbaz further said that sincere dialogue and meaningful cooperation between Pakistan and Iran is the need of the hour.

(With agency inputs)