Pakistan 'deeply concerned' over killing of top Iranian commander: Foreign Office

• Foreign Office spokesperson says the situation could also disrupt peace and stability in the region.
• As part of the UN Charter, countries should respect and adhere to each others integrity and territorial sovereignty: FO.
• FO says it is need of the hour to de-escalate the situation and adopt diplomatic means to resolve issues peacefully by following international law.

(Karachi) Pakistan has expressed 'deep concern' over the killing of Iranian General Qasim Suleimani and other military commanders in a US strike at an airport in Iraq.

In a statement issued on Friday, the Foreign Office spokesperson said that Pakistan views the situation and recent developments in Middle East with great concern which could also disrupt peace and stability in the region.

The FO stated as part of the UN Charter, countries should respect and adhere to each others integrity and territorial sovereignty. The statement added, "It is important to avoid unilateral actions and use of force."

The statement said that it is need of the hour to de-escalate the situation and adopt diplomatic means to resolve issues peacefully by following international law and UN Charter.

https://twitter.com/ForeignOfficePk/status/1213071483456643073

The high-profile assassinations are likely to be a massive blow to Iran, which has been locked in a long conflict with the United States that escalated sharply last week with an attack on the US embassy in Iraq.

Soleimani's killing marks a dramatic escalation in the regional “shadow war" between Iran and the US and its allies.

Soleimani, who has led the foreign arm of the Revolutionary Guards and has had a key role in fighting in Syria and Iraq, acquired celebrity status at home and abroad.

Soleimani survived several assassination attempts against him by Western and Israeli agencies over the past two decades.