ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Foreign Office on Thursday issued a firm statement rejecting comments by Israel’s ambassador to India as a “baseless characterisation” that deflects from the true record of aggression in the region.
The statement directly addressed a video clip of Ambassador Reuven Azar, which had gone viral on social media after an interview with Indian anchor Arnab Goswami. It emphasised that responsible states uphold international law rather than deflect from it.
The Foreign Office highlighted the illegal occupation of Palestinian territories, the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, and the indictment of Israeli leadership before international courts as the genuine pattern of rogue conduct.
The controversy erupted in the context of the ongoing US-Israel-Iran war that began with strikes on February 28, 2026. Iran responded by targeting US bases and assets in Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, pulling the kingdom deeper into the conflict.
During the interview, Goswami questioned Azar about the mutual defence pact signed between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia in September 2025. The agreement explicitly states that any aggression against either country shall be considered an act of aggression against both.
Azar acknowledged historical Pakistan-Arab relations, including ties with Israel’s adversaries. He noted that he had not yet observed the Pakistani army coming to Saudi Arabia’s defence against Iran despite the pact’s provisions.
The ambassador then alleged, without naming Pakistan directly, that “there is one rogue state that already has nuclear weapons. You don’t want to have a second one.” The remark was widely interpreted as targeting Pakistan’s nuclear programme.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia formalised their long-standing military partnership on September 17, 2025, in Riyadh. The Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement builds on decades of cooperation that includes Pakistani troops stationed in the kingdom since the 1960s and training for thousands of Saudi personnel.
The pact aims to strengthen joint deterrence and encompasses intelligence sharing, technology transfer, and full-spectrum defence collaboration. Analysts view it as Riyadh’s effort to bolster security amid shifting US commitments in the Gulf.
The Foreign Office statement countered Azar’s claims by pointing to verified data on Gaza. According to United Nations and Palestinian Ministry of Health figures cross-checked by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, more than 68,000 Palestinians have been killed and over 170,000 injured since October 2023.
The crisis has displaced virtually the entire population of Gaza multiple times. Infrastructure destruction includes hospitals, schools, water systems, and agricultural land, creating conditions described by UN experts as incompatible with continued human existence.
Independent reports confirm Gaza now records the world’s highest per-capita number of child amputees. Famine warnings persist across the territory, with hundreds of thousands facing catastrophic food insecurity levels.
International legal proceedings further underscore the Foreign Office’s position. The International Court of Justice issued an advisory opinion in July 2024 declaring Israel’s presence in occupied Palestinian territory unlawful and calling for an end to settlement activities and apartheid practices.
The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant. They face charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity, including starvation as a method of warfare and intentional attacks on civilians in Gaza.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office stressed that these documented facts represent the actual record of aggression. It urged states to focus on accountability rather than unsubstantiated characterisations of other nations.
Pakistan maintains a responsible nuclear posture as a non-NPT state. Successive governments have reiterated commitments to regional stability and non-proliferation norms, contrasting sharply with the ambassador’s implied allegations.
The viral interview has sparked widespread debate across Pakistani and regional media. Observers note that Azar’s remarks risk escalating diplomatic tensions at a time when Gulf states seek de-escalation in the US-Israel-Iran conflict.
Saudi Arabia has intensified back-channel engagement with Iran to contain spillover effects. Iranian missile and drone strikes have already hit US bases in the kingdom, underscoring the fragility of the current security environment.
The Foreign Office reiterated Pakistan’s consistent stance on international law. It called upon all parties to respect UN resolutions and judicial rulings rather than engage in rhetorical deflection.
Regional security experts highlight the Pakistan-Saudi pact as a milestone in collective defence architecture. It formalises existing military-to-military ties without targeting any specific third country, according to joint statements from both capitals.
As the US-Israel-Iran war enters its third week, the pact’s activation clause remains untested. No reports have emerged of Pakistani forces directly intervening in Saudi defence operations against Iranian retaliation.
Pakistan’s position reflects broader diplomatic efforts to safeguard national interests while advocating for Palestinian rights. The Foreign Office statement aligns with Islamabad’s long-standing support for a two-state solution and an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
The exchange underscores deepening fault lines in Middle East diplomacy. It also highlights how nuclear narratives continue to shape perceptions of regional powers amid active conflicts.
Pakistan remains committed to peaceful resolution of disputes through dialogue and adherence to global legal frameworks. The rejection of baseless claims serves as a clear reminder of this principled approach.