ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Thursday praised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for playing a pivotal role in brokering the Iran-Israel ceasefire after the two countries engaged in a 12-day conflict marked by bombing campaigns and missile attacks.
Naqvi’s comments highlighted the intense Middle East turmoil that began on June 13 when Israel launched airstrikes on Iran, killing senior military commanders and nuclear scientists. In retaliation, Iran fired ballistic missiles on Israeli cities, escalating the situation.
Pakistan, under PM Shehbaz Sharif’s leadership, voiced strong support for Iran in international forums, including the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), condemning Israel’s aggression.
During the conflict, Prime Minister Sharif personally engaged in diplomatic efforts, including a telephonic conversation with Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian, who expressed gratitude for Pakistan’s steadfast support.
“The ceasefire came about as a result of PM Shehbaz Sharif’s continuous efforts to de-escalate the situation and facilitate dialogue,” said Naqvi, highlighting Pakistan’s diplomatic contributions to regional peace.
Turning to recent developments on the Pakistan-India border, Naqvi briefly discussed the 87-hour conflict in which India launched unprovoked airstrikes on Pakistani cities following the tragic Pahalgam incident, which resulted in the deaths of 26 tourists. Naqvi reassured the public that Pakistan did not suffer significant damage from India’s missile strikes, noting that none of the Indian missiles hit their intended targets, and no Pakistani aircraft was harmed.
In response, Pakistan carried out “Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos,” targeting Indian military sites across multiple regions. Despite the intensity of the exchanges, Naqvi stressed that Pakistan avoided targeting Indian civilians, following the nation’s long-standing commitment to military restraint and the protection of non-combatants.
On the topic of security for the upcoming Muharram, Naqvi emphasized the collaborative efforts of law enforcement agencies and religious scholars to maintain peace and harmony. He also underscored the importance of unity and cooperation to counter terrorism and ensure public safety.
Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhary, who joined Naqvi in the press briefing, reinforced the call for national solidarity, stressing that security measures during Muharram should be implemented in tandem with efforts to prevent sectarian violence and promote national unity.
