Zardari warns against military escalation involving Iran
ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday cautioned that any military escalation involving Iran could destabilise not only the Gulf region but also South and Western Asia, urging dialogue and restraint to safeguard regional and global peace.
Speaking at a reception hosted by the Embassy of Iran to mark the 47th anniversary of Iran’s National Day, the president said attempts to resolve disputes through force carried “grave risks” for global stability and economic security.
“Any instability involving Iran, or any attempt to resolve issues through military means, carries grave risks. Such actions could undermine global peace and cause serious harm to the global economy. The stakes are far too high for confrontation,” he said.
Reiterating Pakistan’s opposition to unilateral sanctions and coercive measures, including those imposed on Iran, Mr Zardari stressed that peaceful engagement and constructive dialogue remained the most effective means of addressing regional challenges. Pakistan, he added, welcomed efforts aimed at easing tensions and encouraged continued dialogue among relevant parties to promote stability.
At the outset of the ceremony, the president requested a one-minute silence in memory of victims of a recent blast in Islamabad and those affected by tragedies in Iran. “Let’s pray that wars never come to us,” he remarked.
Referring to ongoing conflicts, terrorism, external interference and unresolved regional flashpoints, he maintained that such issues could not be addressed through unilateral actions or the use of force.
The president underscored the shared responsibilities of Pakistan and Iran as neighbouring countries, particularly in border management, counterterrorism cooperation and transforming their shared frontier into a zone of lawful trade and development.
Highlighting the historical and cultural bonds between the two nations, he described Pakistan and Iran as “civilisational partners”, noting the deep imprint of Persian language and literature on Pakistan’s intellectual heritage. Persian, he observed, had historically served as an official language in regions that now constitute Pakistan.
He cited poets such as Rumi, Hafiz, Saadi and Ferdowsi as widely revered in Pakistan, and referred to Allama Muhammad Iqbal’s Persian works as a shared symbol of pride for both countries.
In his address, Iran’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Dr Reza Amiri Moghaddam, said Iran had achieved significant progress in technology, defence, science and the economy despite external pressures. He stated that while Iran did not seek war and favoured dialogue and diplomacy, it would respond firmly to any threat to its sovereignty.
