Pakistan condemns drone attack on UAE’s nuclear energy plant

Pakistan on Monday condemned the drone attack on the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant in the United Arab Emirates that took place on Sunday, reiterating its full solidarity with the Emirati people and the government.

Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi, in a statement, said that any deliberate targeting of nuclear facilities constituted a grave violation of international law, including international humanitarian law, the United Nations Charter, and the fundamental principles of nuclear safety and security enshrined in the Statute and resolutions of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

“Nuclear installations must never be targeted under any circumstances. Such reckless actions carry potentially catastrophic and irreversible consequences for human life, the environment, and regional as well as global peace and security,” he remarked.

The spokesperson said that the inviolability of civilian nuclear infrastructure was a well-established international norm and must be upheld without exception.

He reiterated Pakistan’s call for all parties to exercise maximum restraint, fulfil their obligations under international law and international humanitarian law, and avoid any actions that could further escalate tensions with consequences extending far beyond the region.

“Dialogue and diplomacy, consistent with the principles and purposes of the United Nations Charter, remain the only viable path toward lasting peace, stability, and de-escalation in the region,” the spokesperson added.

A drone strike triggered a fire near a nuclear power station in the emirate of Abu Dhabi on Sunday, authorities said, reporting no injuries or impact on radiation levels.

“Authorities in Abu Dhabi responded to a fire incident that broke out in an electrical generator outside the inner perimeter of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in the Al Dhafra Region, caused by a drone strike,” the Abu Dhabi Media Office said.

“No injuries were reported, and there was no impact on radiological safety levels,” it posted on social media. “All precautionary measures have been taken, and further updates will be provided as they become available.

The UAE has faced repeated missile and drone attacks during the Israel-U.S.-Iran conflict.

The UAE’s foreign ministry said on Friday it categorically rejected what it called Iranian allegations and attempts to justify attacks on the UAE, adding that it reserved its sovereign, legal, diplomatic and military rights to respond to any threat or hostile act.

Condemning the drone attack on the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also stressed on dialogue and diplomacy for a lasting regional peace, stability and de-escalation.

“We stand in full solidarity with the leadership and the brotherly people of the United Arab Emirates. We urge all parties to exercise maximum restraint and fulfil their obligations under international law,” he stated.