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Pakistan FO Calls Report on Iranian Aircraft at Airbase 'Misleading'
๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฐ Pakistan /Conflict & Security

Pakistan FO Calls Report on Iranian Aircraft at Airbase 'Misleading'

From Dawn · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Pakistan's Foreign Office has refuted a CBS News report alleging that Islamabad allowed Iranian military aircraft to park at its airbase while mediating Middle East conflicts.
  • The FO stated that aircraft from Iran and the US were present at Nur Khan Air Base to facilitate diplomatic personnel movement during talks, not for military purposes.
  • Pakistan reiterated its commitment to acting as an impartial facilitator for regional peace and stability, denying any linkage between the parked aircraft and military contingencies.

Pakistan's Foreign Office has strongly refuted a recent report by CBS News, labeling it as 'misleading and sensationalised.' The American media outlet claimed that Pakistan had permitted Iranian military aircraft to be stationed at its airfields under the guise of mediation in the Middle East conflict. This narrative, citing unnamed US officials, suggested that Tehran had sent multiple aircraft, including a reconnaissance variant, to Pakistan's Nur Khan Air Base shortly after a US-announced ceasefire with Iran.

Pakistan categorically rejects the CBS News report regarding the presence of Iranian aircraft at Nur Khan Airbase as misleading and sensationalised. Such speculative narratives appear aimed at undermining ongoing efforts for regional stability and peace.

โ€” Foreign Office (FO)Responding to the CBS News report and refuting its claims.

In a decisive response, the Foreign Office clarified that the presence of aircraft from both Iran and the United States was purely for logistical and administrative support related to the movement of diplomatic and security personnel involved in the ongoing talks. These aircraft were temporarily stationed to facilitate subsequent rounds of engagement, emphasizing that their presence had no connection to any military contingency or preservation arrangement. Pakistan categorically rejected any assertions suggesting otherwise, deeming them speculative and detached from factual context.

Following the ceasefire and during the initial round of the Islamabad Talks, a number of aircraft from Iran and the United States arrived in Pakistan to facilitate the movement of diplomatic personnel, security teams, and administrative staff associated with the talks process.

โ€” Foreign Office (FO)Explaining the legitimate reasons for the presence of foreign aircraft in Pakistan.

Pakistan has consistently maintained its role as an impartial and constructive facilitator in promoting dialogue and de-escalation in the region. The Foreign Office underscored that the country has extended routine logistical and administrative support where required, ensuring full transparency and regular communication with all relevant parties. Pakistan remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting all sincere efforts aimed at fostering dialogue, reducing tensions, and advancing regional and global peace, stability, and security. This clear stance reaffirms Pakistan's dedication to its role in promoting diplomacy and averting conflict.

The Iranian aircraft currently parked in Pakistan arrived during the ceasefire period and bear no linkage whatsoever to any military contingency or preservation arrangement. Assertions suggesting otherwise are speculative, misleading, and entirely detached from the factual context.

โ€” Foreign Office (FO)Further clarifying the nature of the Iranian aircraft's presence and rejecting any military implications.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Dawn in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.