Pakistan expresses ‘deep concern’ over Middle East tensions after Iran’s missile attack on Israel

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s foreign office spokesperson expressed “deep concern” over escalating tensions in the Middle East and urged all parties in the region to prioritize peace, a day after Iran launched scores of missiles into Israel. 

Sirens sounded across Israel and explosions rattled Jerusalem late Tuesday as Iran marked its largest military blow to the Jewish state when it launched scores of missiles into its territory. Tehran said its assault was a response to Israeli killings of militant leaders and aggression in Lebanon against Hezbollah and in Gaza.
No injuries were reported in Israel, but one man was killed in the occupied West Bank, authorities there said, in the attacks that Iran described as defensive and solely aimed at Israeli military facilities.
The United Nations Security Council scheduled a meeting about the Middle East for today, Wednesday, and the European Union called for an immediate ceasefire as Washington said it would work with Israel to ensure Iran faced “severe consequences” for the attack. 
“Pakistan expresses deep concern over the escalating hostilities in the Middle East, urging all parties to prioritize peace,” the foreign office spokesperson said in a statement. 
The foreign office said Israel has increasingly violated international law and the UN charter in recent months, blaming the Jewish state for endangering regional peace and security with its “ongoing genocide in Gaza.”
It said Israel’s recent invasion of Lebanon have intensified these tensions and affected the lives of innocent civilians.
“The people of Palestine, Lebanon, and the wider region deserve to live free from fear and violence,” the statement said. “It is crucial for all sides to step back from the brink and for the international community to take swift action to de-escalate the situation.”
The foreign office spokesperson called on the international community to address the “prevailing culture of impunity and disregard for international law” urgently.
 “Pakistan reiterates its call for the UN Security Council to uphold peace and security in the region, safeguard Lebanon’s sovereignty, and put an end to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza,” the statement said. 

Pakistan’s national airline announced earlier on Wednesday it was suspending the use of Iran’s airspace until further notice amid growing tensions. 

Pakistan does not recognize nor have diplomatic relations with Israel and calls for an independent Palestinian state based on “internationally agreed parameters” and the pre-1967 borders with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.

Since the beginning of Israel’s war on Gaza since October last year, Pakistan has repeatedly raised the issue at the United Nations, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and other multilateral platforms and demanded international powers and bodies stop Israeli military actions in Gaza.