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Sunday, 15 June, 2025 I 18 Zilhaj, 1446
Rs 20.00 | Vol XV No 337 I 8 Pages I Islamabad Edition
IRAN PLEDGES ‘HEAVIER AND DESTRUCTIVE’ RESPONSE AS ISRAEL KEEPS UP AIRSTRIKES FOR 2ND DAY ISRAELI DEFENCE MINISTER WARNS ‘TEHRAN WILL BURN’ IF IRAN CONTINUES RETALIATORY MISSILE STRIKES ON ISRAEL g BRITISH PM SAYS UK MOVING ADDITIONAL MILITARY ASSETS, INCLUDING FIGHTER JETS, TO ME TO PROVIDE SUPPORT ACROSS THE REGION g
IRAN SAYS DIALOGUE WITH US OVER TEHRAN’S NUCLEAR PROGRAMME IS ‘UNJUSTIFIABLE’ AFTER ISRAEL’S BIGGEST-EVER MILITARY STRIKE g NETANYAHU WARNS ATTACKS OVER THE PAST 48 HOURS ARE ‘NOTHING COMPARED’ TO WHAT WILL HAPPEN IN COMING DAYS g
pakistan stands in ‘complete solidarity’ with iran amid conflict with israel: pM ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
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TEHRAN/TEL AVIV STAFF REPORT
RAN declared on Saturday that “heavy and destructive” attacks against Israel were expected within the coming hours, as the Israeli continued airstrikes for a second day on military and nuclear sites and talks between Tehran and the US over its nuclear programme were cancelled. The development comes a day after nearly 80 people, including top army officers, and scientists were killed while civilians were among over 300 wounded in Iran as a result of Israel’s strikes on military and nuclear sites and private residences, according to the country’s UN envoy Amir Saeid Iravani.
The Israeli military also said it struck an underground facility Saturday in western Iran's Khorramabad that contained surface-to-surface and cruise missiles. "This is an important site that was even featured in a propaganda video by the Iranian regime in the past," military spokesman Brigadier General Effie Defrin told journalists, referring to footage aired by Iran's Revolutionary Guards earlier this year showing what it described as a new underground missile facility. Earlier, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz warned on Saturday that "Tehran will burn" if Iran continues launching retaliatory missile strikes on Israel.
Pakistan urges UNSC to stop Israeli ‘aggression’ against Iran NEW YORK
STAFF CORRESPONDENT
Continued on page 03
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday, while strongly condemning Israeli attacks against Iran, reaffirmed that Pakistan “stood resolutely in solidarity” with the brotherly people and the government of Iran in the face of Israel’s unprovoked and unjustified aggression, according to the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP). According to PTV News, the PM spoke over the phone to Iranian President Dr Masoud Pezeshkian, informing him that Pakistan stands in complete solidarity with the “brotherly people of Iran against Israel’s unprovoked and unjustified aggression.” “Israeli airstrikes violated its sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iran and were in complete defiance of the UN Charter and international law,” he stated, asserting that Iran had the right to self-defense as provided under Article 51 of the UN Charter, he added. The telephonic conversations come amid intense missile exchange between Iran and Israel a day after nearly 80 people, including top army
officers and scientists, were killed while civilians were among over 300 wounded in Israeli strikes on Iranian military and nuclear sites and private residences. According to the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), 200 fighter jets were used in the attack on Iranian nuclear installations. There were reports of new Israeli strikes in Iran earlier on Saturday as Tel Aviv warned, “Tehran will burn,” after the Islamic Republic continued its barrage of overnight missiles in response to the Israeli onslaught on its nuclear facilities that killed its top generals. The prime minister condemned Israel’s provocations and adventurism, calling them a serious threat to regional and global peace and stability,” said a statement issued from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). “He also strongly condemned Israel’s unabated acts of brutal genocide against the brave Palestinians.” According to PTV News, PM Shehbaz urged the international community and the UN to take “immediate and credible steps” against Israeli aggression, stating that Pakistan is fully committed to promoting peace in the region.
pM, president erdogan discuss israeli attack on iran as pakistan confirms oiC participation ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Pakistan has called on the UN Security Council, which met in emergency session hours after Israel’s deadly air strikes against targets in Iran, to stop “this aggression immediately” and hold the aggressor accountable. “This Council must deny Israel the free hand and the impunity with which it continues to operate in defiance of international law and international opinion,” Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, permanent representative of Pakistan to the UN, told the 15-member Council, while denouncing Tel Aviv’s “unjustified and illegitimate aggression” against Iran. “Iran has the right to self-defence under Article 51 of the UN Charter,” he said, adding that Israel’s actions in Gaza, Syria, Lebanon and Yemen “reflect a continuing pattern of unilateral militarism”. During the debate, the Council’s members largely agreed — that de-escalation and diplomacy are imperative to avoid further strain in a region already groaning under the weight of compounding conflict. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi requested the Security Council meeting, saying Israel “has now crossed every red line, and the international community must not allow these crimes to go unpunished. Among those supporting the request for the Council meeting were Pakistan, China and Russia. Briefing the Security Council, Rosemary DiCarlo, UN Under-Secretary-General for political affairs told the Council that the repercussions of the attacks were already reverberating. “I reaffirm the (UN) Secretary-General’s condemnation of any military escalation in the Middle East,” she said, urging both Israel and Iran to exercise maximum restraint and “avoid at all costs a descent into deeper and wider regional conflict”.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday held telephonic talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and assured Pakistan’s participation in the upcoming OIC’s Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) meeting scheduled to be held in Istanbul on June 21-22. Both the leaders expressed deep concern over Israel’s recent attack on Iran and pledged to coordinate peace efforts. The telephone call comes as the OIC’s Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) prepares to convene in Türkiye on June 21–22 at a volatile moment for the bloc, with two of its member states—Pakistan and Iran—having faced military confrontations. “Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif held a telephone conversation with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Türkiye this evening,” said a statement issued from the Prime Minister’s Office after the call. “During their most warm and cordial conversation, both leaders discussed the deeply worrying situation in the region in
Pakistan supports Iran, Palestine against Israel: Tarar ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Federal Minister for Information and broadcasting Attaullah Tarar said on Saturday that Pakistan took a clear and strong stance at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) against Israel’s unprovoked attack on Iran, expressing full support for the Iranian people. Speaking in the National Assembly, he said that the UNSC held a special meeting earlier in the day, during which Iran’s representative thanked Pakistan and other countries for their support. “Today, Pakistan showed why it deserves a seat on the Security Council by firmly standing with Iran and defending international law,” he said. “We not only condemned Israel’s aggression but also stood side by side with our Iranian brothers and sisters.” He said that Pakistan believes Iran has the right to defend itself under the UN Charter, and this was clearly explained by Pakistan’s representative. He also highlighted the close friendship and shared culture between Pakistan and Iran, mentioning that Allama Iqbal is highly respected in Iran as ‘Iqbal Lahori.’ The minister said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the Deputy Prime Minister had already conveyed their condolences and solidarity with Iran after the recent attacks. He praised Pakistan’s actions at the UNSC as reflecting the nation’s true feelings and said few countries had shown such a principled stance. He also mentioned Pakistan’s growing relations with Iran, pointing to recent official visits, including the late Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi’s trip to Pakistan, which helped strengthen ties. Talking about Palestine, the minister said the people of Pakistan have always stood with the oppressed Palestinians. “We believe their sacrifices will be remembered and will not go in vain,” he said. He recalled that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had strongly condemned Israeli violence in Gaza during his speech at the UN General Assembly and had also announced aid for Palestinians, which reflected the will of the Pakistani people. “Pakistan has always raised its voice for Palestine at international platforms and is among the few countries that have successfully sent aid to Gaza,” he said. The minister criticized the opposition for spreading false propaganda from outside the country, saying such actions damage Pakistan’s image globally. He said some PTI supporters living abroad have made false claims about the government’s stance on Israel. “They think they are hurting us, but they are really hurting Pakistan’s image and its clear position on these issues,” he said.
Chinese stance fails India’s ‘push for relisting’ Pakistan on FATF grey list PARIS
STAFF REPORT
the wake of Israel’s unprovoked and unjustified aggression against Iran.” “The Prime Minister said that Pakistan would continue to play a constructive role for peace, both as a member of the UN Security Council and in other forums such as the OIC,” the statement added. “In this regard, the Prime Minister said that Deputy Prime Minister & Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar would represent Pakistan at the upcoming OIC CFM meeting in Istanbul,” it added. Both leaders condemned Israel’s strikes, saying they violated
Iran’s sovereignty and defied international law. They also voiced solidarity with Palestine amid what they described as Israel’s “brazen military aggression,” which they said had continued “with complete impunity.” The two leaders emphasized the international community and the United Nations must act collectively and urge Israel to immediately end its “aggressive posturing and illegal actions” against Iran, Palestine, and other countries in the region.
India suffered a diplomatic setback in its bid to have Pakistan re-listed on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list amid “strong opposition from member states,” according to media reports citing sources on Saturday. According to the media reports, quoting diplomatic sources, the Indian delegation made a “concerted push” to place Pakistan back on the grey list, citing concerns related to financial regulations and counter-terror financing. However, China took a firm stance in Pakistan’s favour, advocating for continued relief and acknowledging the country’s progress on FATF requirements. Turkiye and Japan also extended their full support to Pakistan, further undermining India’s effort. Ties between the two nuclear-armed neighbours plunged following a recent standoff over the killing of 26 tourists in Pahalgam, Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, that New Delhi blamed on Islamabad. Pakistan categorically rejected the allegation while offering a transparent probe into the incident and drew the international community’s attention to Indian proxies involved in terrorism inside the country. Following India’s unprovoked attacks, Pakistani armed forces launched a large-scale retaliatory military action named “Operation Bunyanum Marsoos” and targeted several Indian military installations across multiple regions.
‘pakistan will safeguard iran’s interests’: Kh asif urges Muslim nations unity against israel ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Federal Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif on Saturday said that Pakistan will “safeguard Iran’s interests” amid the Israeli aggression and called for an emergency session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to develop a joint strategy in response to Israel’s ongoing aggression, Radio Pakistan reported. Condemning the Israeli attack on Pakistan’s “neighbor and fraternal country” during a session of the National Assembly, the defense minister urged that a meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) should be convened to launch an initiative that “manifests the unity of the Muslim Ummah.” “Pakistan stands firm on its traditional stance, as it has neither recognized Israel nor established relations with it,” Asif declared, reiterating that “Pakistan will safeguard Iran’s interests at all international fora, including the United Nations.” The minister condemned Israel’s brutal actions, especially its military aggression against Iran and termed it a serious threat to
regional and global peace. “Palestinian children are being killed, yet there are more protests in non-Muslim countries than in Muslim nations,” he remarked with regret. He said Iran is not just a neighbour but a brotherly country with deep-rooted ties with Pakistan. He warned that if the Muslim world doesn’t act together, every country will eventually become a target. “The way Israel has targeted Yemen, Iran, and Palestine shows a larger plan. Most Muslim nations are already facing security risks. Strong leadership is needed now,” he said. Kh Asif said, “Israel has innocent blood on its hands. Pakistan stands firmly with Iran and will continue to support it on international forums,” he said. The minister referred to India’s recent aggression, saying it had faced consequences. “India’s false pride has been broken, and their leadership is now embarrassed at home. This was only possible due to our strong military and the unity of our people,” he said. He praised the armed forces and the people for standing firm in the face of threats. “We proved to the world that Pakistan is not weak—not yesterday, not today,” he de-
clared. He said enemies tried to weaken Pakistan, but their plans failed. He highlighted how the world was closely watching Pakistan’s coastal borders during recent tensions, and how Pakistan’s armed forces defended the nation bravely. “Our navy’s response forced the enemy to retreat,” he said. The defence minister said that while Pakistan’s military strength is commendable, the economy must also be strong. He praised Pakistan’s youth, especially cyber experts, for delivering a strong blow to India during a recent cyber conflict. “Our young people shut down lights in stadiums, disrupted IPL matches, and even affected dams. Their skills surprised the world,” he said. He added that the recent military operation Bunyanum Marsoos was a turning point, both strategically and for national morale. He said Pakistan’s response to Indian attacks was firm and timely. “We struck back with full force,” he said. Khawaja Asif also spoke about Pakistan’s sacrifices in the fight against terrorism. “Our soldiers and civilians have lost lives in attacks, especially in Balochistan.
Groups like the TTP and BLA are fighting India’s war on our soil,” he claimed. He strongly condemned anyone who supports these militants. “Such people are not Pakistanis. “They are enemies of the country,” he said.
He insisted that while political problems should be solved through dialogue, foreign interference, especially from India, must not be taken lightly. “Pakistan’s unity—from Balochistan to Punjab—is our top priority,” he added.