Caretaker cabinet approves restoring diplomatic ties with Iran

The caretaker federal cabinet has approved restoring diplomatic relations with Iran, said sources on Friday.

According to the 24NewsHD TV channel, the sources said the foreign secretary briefed the cabinet on the Iran raid and the Pakistan response.

They said the cabinet was told that Tehran made a wrong move and Islamabad took the right action. " Pakistan responded to Iran’s aggression in a befitting manner,” it was briefed. 

The insiders said the cabinet decided to ease tensions with Iran and approved restoring diplomatic relations with Iran. Tehran also seconded Islamabad, they maintained. 

The sources said the cabinet stressed Pakistan does not want tension with neighbours and spoil its ties with neighbouring states. The cabinet meeting followed the National Security Committee (NSC) huddle that reiterated the determination not to compromise on national integrity and sovereignty resolve.

The cabinet approved the NSC decisions, the sources stressed. Earlier, the NSC mulled over Pakistan-Iran tension and the foreign minister gave a briefing on the diplomatic deliberations over the matter. 

The huddle heaped praise on the professional skills of the Pak Army and expressed confidence in the professional and operational readiness of the Pak forces. Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul convened the NSC meeting that lasted for more than two and a half hours

The rare military actions in the porous border region of Balochistan -- shared between the two countries -- stoked regional tensions already enflamed by the Israel-Hamas war. 

Iran carried out a missile and drone attack on what it called "terrorist" targets in Pakistan on Tuesday night, with Pakistan in turn striking militant targets inside Iran on Thursday. The United Nations and the United States appealed for restraint, while China has offered to mediate between the two countries. 

After the strikes, PM Anwarul Haq Kakar cut short his visit to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland and called the NSC meeting.

According to a press release issued by the PMO, the NSC undertook a wholesome review of the situation and lauded the professional, calibrated and proportionate response by the Armed Forces of Pakistan against unprovoked and unlawful violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty.

It added: “During the meeting, participants were briefed about political and diplomatic developments bearing upon the prevailing situation between Pakistan and Iran and its impact on the overall security milieu in the region.

“The forum also took stock of the ‘Operation Marg Bar Sarmachar’, which was successfully executed against Pakistani-originated Baloch terrorists residing in the ungoverned spaces inside Iran.

“An update on the situation along the borders and necessary full preparations done to comprehensively respond to any further violation of national sovereignty was also deliberated about.

“The forum reiterated the unflinching resolve that sovereignty and territorial integrity of Pakistan are inviolable and sacrosanct and any attempt by anyone to breach it on any pretext will be responded to with the full might of the state.

The press release continued: “The meeting reaffirmed that the security and safety of the people of Pakistan is of paramount importance and no stone will be left unturned to ensure it.

“The forum expressed that Iran, being a neighbourly and brotherly Muslim country, existing multiple communication channels between the two countries should be mutually utilised to address each other’s security concerns in the larger interest of regional peace and stability.

“The meeting laid stress on Pakistan’s commitment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries per the UN charter and international norms.

“The committee reiterated the resolve to deal with the menace of terrorism, in all its forms and manifestations, with an iron hand. The forum also highlighted that Pakistan has suffered far more than any other country due to this scourge of terrorism.

"It concluded that in line with the universal principles governing the conduct of good neighbourly relations, the two countries would mutually be able to overcome minor irritants through dialogue and diplomacy and pave the way to further deepen their historic relations.”