After unrest from the Indian and Afghan sides, Pakistan is now facing hostile Iran in its neighborhood. The tensions hiked between both Islamic countries after Iran’s Revolutionary Guards conducted strike on the alleged terrorists’ hideout in Pakistan’s Balochistan.
The operation hit two sites in Balochistan linked to the militant group Jaish al-Adl, Iran’s state TV said. Iran attacked targets in Iraq and Syria earlier this week.
Pakistan strongly condemned the strike and summoned Iran’s envoy to register a protest of the action. In a strong response, Pakistan has also asked its envoy in Iran to leave Tehran and conveyed a message to Tehran that Islamabad reserves the right to respond to the aggression and the responsibility will lie on Tehran.
China, which recently brought Iran and Saudi Arabia to the table of talks, on Wednesday urged Pakistan and Iran to show “restraint” and “avoid actions that would lead to an escalation of tension”. Foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning added that Beijing saw the countries as “close neighbours”.
“We call on both sides to exercise restraint, avoid actions that would lead to an escalation of tension and work together to maintain peace and stability”.
“We consider both Iran and Pakistan as close neighbours and major Islamic countries,” she said.
Pakistan which is already suffering law and order situation in terms of TTP threat and economic crisis, the recent escalation can be devastating for Islamabad. So far the response from Foreign Office has gave a message that Pakistan is acting sensibly on the issue.
Islamabad and Tehren must hold talks to resolve the issues between both the sides because the world cannot afford another escalation after Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas wars.
