ISLAMABAD – Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar on Monday issued firm warning to Israel, declaring that Pakistan will deliver a powerful response to any act of aggression amid major escalation between Tehran and Tel Aviv.
Addressing the Senate on Monday, Dar emphasized Pakistan’s military preparedness and reaffirmed the country’s nuclear arsenal is intended solely for defensive purposes. “Israel does not have the courage to cast an evil eye on Pakistan,” Dar stated. “Any provocation will be met with full force.”
Dar also ruled out recent rumors of nuclear threat involving Pakistan as baseless. He also criticized the rise of misinformation, highlighting a recent incident involving an AI-generated fake video featuring former U.S. President Donald Trump and Pakistani politician Khawaja Asif. He called on media and the public to verify information before spreading it.
He further sheds light on Pakistan’s behind-the-scenes diplomatic role amid the recent flare-up between Iran and Israel. He said the foreign ministers of Iran and Oman had kept him informed of developments, and that Pakistan’s efforts at the United Nations Security Council were appreciated by Iran and three other nations.
According to Dar, Iran expressed both its readiness to defend against Israeli aggression and its willingness to return to negotiations if tensions eased. He also addressed reports circulating in international media, including The Daily Mail, which falsely claimed the Pakistani Foreign Ministry had issued a statement on the Iran-Israel conflict. “No such statement was made,” Dar clarified, adding that the reports were fabricated.
On humanitarian front, he announced that Pakistan is actively facilitating the evacuation of its citizens from Iran, including students and pilgrims. A crisis unit has been activated within the Foreign Office to manage the situation. More than 250 students have already returned to Quetta, while arrangements are underway for the repatriation of over 500 pilgrims.
Pakistan will provide on-arrival visas to 20,000 Iranian pilgrims currently in Saudi Arabia, enabling their return home through land routes. Responding to hostile rhetoric from Israeli and Indian officials, Dar reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to national defense. “Our nuclear weapons are for deterrence, not aggression. But if challenged, we will respond decisively,” he said.
He praised the sacrifices made by the nation to build its defense capabilities and vowed that Pakistan’s sovereignty would be safeguarded at all costs. “Our armed forces are fully alert. We have faced greater threats before—and we are ready again,” he concluded.
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