Syria missile strikes: Pakistan calls for deal within OPCW framework

Pakistan on Saturday expressed grave concern over the situation in Syria following the US-led military strikes against the targets in the war-hit Arab country and called for refrain from actions inconsistent with the UN Charter.
"We are following the situation in Syria with grave concern. We call on all sides to refrain from actions inconsistent with the UN Charter. Pakistan condemns the use of chemical weapons anywhere by anyone," Foreign Office said in a statement following the US, UK and France conducted missile strikes against targets in Syria.
"It is important to establish facts through urgent and transparent investigations by the OPCW [Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons]. We call upon all parties to strive for an agreement within the OPCW framework and extend full support to the Organization," it asserted.
"At this time our thoughts are with the people of Syria who have suffered as a result of ongoing turmoil in that country. We hope that all parties will work to find an urgent solution to end the suffering of the Syrian people," the statement added.
Given the problems and challenges Pakistan is already confronted with, foreign affairs analysts emphasized the need for pursuing the policy of neutrality; though earlier fears of Russian retaliation had been abated by late evening as the UN Security Council was called by Russia to discuss the Syrian crisis with Vassily Nebenzia, Russia's UN envoy, stating "The immediate priority is to avert the danger of war."
"Pakistan should not get involved in any controversy. Pakistan can only hope for an early de-escalation as the Syrian people have already suffered a lot," said Ambassador (retd) Ali Sarwar Naqvi, Executive Director Center for International Strategic Studies (CISS).
He said that Pakistan is already facing various problems at home and it is better to concentrate on our its borders - Eastern border where India has already created a war-like situation and the western border from where Pakistan routinely faces terrorists' infiltration from Afghanistan. He pointed out that Russia has already warned to give response to the US-led strikes against its ally - Syria - and there is possibility of further escalation in case the Russia pursues with its rhetoric.