Last Updated:
Ignoring the nature of the tragedy that struck Iranian citizens due to the port blast, the Pakistan PM used his message of condolence as a platform to peddle Pakistan’s falsehoods.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif used his condolence message for Iran blast victims as a platform to raise the Kashmir issue. (IMAGE: REUTERS)
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to extend condolences over the losses of life due to the explosion at Shahid Rajaee port near the city of Bandar Abbas but used it also as a chance to rekindle the Kashmir issue.
A powerful explosion ripped through a key port in southern Iran on Saturday, killing five people and injuring more than 700, state media said.
Although the cause of the blast was not immediately clear, the port’s customs office said in a statement carried by state TV that it probably resulted from a fire that broke out at the hazmat and chemical materials storage depot.
I spoke to my brother, Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian @drpezeshkian , President of Iran this evening, to express my deep shock at the tragic explosion at Shahid Rajaee Port, Bandar Abbas. Expressed solidarity with Iran on the loss of precious lives and prayed for early recovery of the…— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) April 26, 2025
State media reported a “massive explosion” at Shahid Rajaee, the country’s largest commercial port, located in Hormozgan province on the southern coast.
The fires triggered by the explosion were still burning more than seven hours after the blast.
Shehbaz said he spoke to Pezeshkian regarding the explosion: “I spoke to my brother, Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian, President of Iran this evening, to express my deep shock at the tragic explosion at Shahid Rajaee Port, Bandar Abbas. Expressed solidarity with Iran on the loss of precious lives and prayed for early recovery of the injured”.
The Pakistan Prime Minister then rekindled the Kashmir situation with no regard for the crisis Iran is facing. “We also exchanged views on the regional situation. Reaffirmed Pakistan’s strong desire for peace in the region and reiterated our condemnation of terrorism in all forms and manifestations. Recalled that Pakistan was itself one of the biggest victims of terrorism. Denounced India’s use of water as a weapon, which was unacceptable to Pakistan. Reiterated Pakistan’s resolute and unwavering support for the people of IIOJK and their right to self-determination,” he said, unable to resist rekindling anti-India rhetoric, exposing Islamabad’s habitual double standards.
While Sharif claimed that Pakistan desires peace and condemns terrorism “in all forms and manifestations,” his government has yet to take any responsibility or meaningful action following the brutal terrorist attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives.
India has made it clear that Jammu and Kashmir is, and will always remain, an integral part of the country, and Pakistan’s repeated attempts to internationalise the issue will not change that reality.
However, it should be noted that Iran has tried to act as a mediator despite the fact that the issue is bilateral in nature. Iran on Friday offered to mediate between India and Pakistan amid rising diplomatic tensions in wake of the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam which claimed the lives of 26 individuals and left several others injured.
Calling New Delhi and Islamabad as Tehran’s “brotherly neighbours”, Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said that Tehran is ready to foster greater understanding between both the nations during the challenging time.
- Location :
Islamabad, Pakistan
