On Saturday, Pakistan expressed its full support for Iran’s request to convene an extraordinary meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation following the assassination of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.
Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar conveyed this support during a phone call with acting Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani, as reported by the Foreign Office.
Haniyeh was in Tehran for the inauguration ceremony of the Iranian president when he was killed, along with his bodyguard, in what Iran’s Revolutionary Guards described as a strike on their accommodation early Wednesday morning.
This incident occurred shortly after Israel targeted and killed a top Hezbollah commander in Beirut, raising concerns about a potential escalation of regional conflict. Israel has yet to comment on the attack in Tehran.
Following Haniyeh’s death, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei led prayers for Haniyeh’s burial in Qatar and had previously threatened “harsh punishment” for the killing. Thousands of mourners gathered at Tehran University, waving Palestinian flags and holding posters of Haniyeh before a procession was held.
FM Dar informed his Iranian counterpart that Pakistan aligns with Iran’s sentiments. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned both the developments in Gaza and the assassination of Haniyeh.
On Friday, Pakistan’s National Assembly unanimously denounced the killing as a breach of international law and diplomatic norms.
In response to Iran’s call, Kani requested Dar’s participation in the forthcoming extraordinary OIC meeting to address the situation.
Dar, who also serves as the deputy prime minister, assured that Pakistan would actively participate in this crucial meeting, which is expected to be convened soon.
