Pakistan-Iran attacks live: At least 9 killed near Iran’s southeast border

The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSE) fell by 1,000 points this morning following news of strikes on Iran.

However, the PSE rebounded later in the day, gaining back nearly 650 points at close.

Pakistan was on the brink of default last year before it managed to secure an agreement with the International Monetary Fund for $3 billion.

In the past six months, it has shown gradual improvement in its economic indicators, including inflation – which fell from a high of 38 percent to 29 percent.

Pakistan’s President Arif Alvi says his country fully respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states while expecting the same treatment from other nations.

“Pakistan would not compromise on its national security and territorial integrity and would take all necessary measures to defend its soil,” Alvi said in a statement published by his office on X.

Alvi added that Pakistan and Iran were “brotherly countries”, and should resolve their issues through “dialogue and mutual consultation”.

The Taliban government has called the attacks in Pakistan and Iran “alarming”, calling for both sides to exercise restraint.

“In light of the region’s newfound peace and stability after protracted imposed wars and instability, both sides should direct efforts towards further strengthening regional stability and resolving disputes through diplomatic channels and dialogue,” the Taliban government’s foreign ministry spokesperson Abdul Qahar Balkhi said on X.

Pakistan’s former human rights minister has described the country’s response as “swift and proportionate” but questioned the presence of “militant groups” on either side of the border.

“Response swift & proportionate. Full spectrum deterrence reasserted militarily – meeting the threat at a level of our choosing & prevailing,” Mazari posted on X.

“But one of the many disturbing questions arising is why both supposedly friendly ‘brotherly’ Muslim countries, with deep historical & social ties, allowed space creation for these militant groups in each other’s territories?”

Iran and Pakistan do not want to escalate tensions in the region, Turkish foreign minister Hakan Fidan has said after holding calls with officials from both sides.

Speaking at a news conference in Jordan, Fidan said Turkey recommended that the sides do not escalate further and that calm should be restored as soon as possible.

Hina Rabbani Khar has described Iran’s attack on Pakistan as “shocking”, adding that the region could not afford another escalation.

“They were irrational, illegal and escalatory. It seems whoever authorised it had not thought through,” she said on X.

“Pakistan has repeatedly conveyed its concerns about terrorist hideouts in Iran. However, Pakistan preferred to rely on diplomatic solutions and create mechanisms where both countries could address each others concerns within the framework of international law and UN charter.”

Pakistan recalled its ambassador from Tehran after denouncing the attack and barred Iran’s envoy to Islamabad from returning.

The Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF), an armed group operating in Pakistan, says it “has no hideouts in Iran” and none of “our Saramchar [fighters] was martyred in the recent attacks by Pakistan”.

As we reported earlier, the Pakistan army said “hideouts used by terrorist organisations namely Balochistan Liberation Army and Balochistan Liberation Front were successfully struck” on Thursday morning.

The BLF has conducted frequent attacks on Pakistani forces as well as on projects operating under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Source:https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/1/18/pakistan-iran-attacks-live-at-least-7-killed-near-irans-southeast-border