Pakistan has expressed deep concern over the latest escalation of tension in the Middle East following the United States assassinated top Iranian commander of the Quds Force of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), saying, "It is also important to avoid unilateral actions and use of force."

"Pakistan has viewed with deep concern the recent developments in the Middle East, which seriously threaten peace and stability in the region," Foreign Office Spokesperson Aisha Farooqui said while sharing Pakistan's reaction to the media on the US strikes in Iraq.

Major General Qassem Soleimani, the commander of the Quds Force of IRGC and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the second-in-command of Iraq's Popular Mobilization Units (PMU), were killed among others in the US air strikes in Baghdad which led to further escalation of tension between Tehran and Washington on Friday. "Respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity are the fundamental principles of the UN Charter, which should be adhered to. It is also important to avoid unilateral actions and use of force," the Foreign Office spokesperson said.

She also urged all the parties to exercise maximum restraint, engage constructively to de-escalate the situation, and resolve issues through diplomatic means, in accordance with the UN Charter and international law.

Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari, in a tweet, urged the United Nations Security Council to play its role in defusing the tension. "Killing of General Soleimani by the US has in an instant upped the military ante in the region as Iran has declared it an act of war. It is in no one's interest to have a war in an already volatile region. Brinkmanship is a dangerous strategy for all. The UNSG must move to defuse situation," she stated.