Pakistan on Wednesday condemned the “reckless” killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, saying it “views with serious concern the growing Israeli adventurism in the region”.
Haniyeh was killed in Iran on Wednesday in a strike at his residency in Tehran. Normally based in Qatar, Haniyeh had travelled to Iran to attend the inauguration of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
“Pakistan condemns the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, the Chief of the Political Bureau of Hamas in Tehran today.
“We extend our condolences to his family and the people of Palestine,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in its statement.
The statement added that Islamabad was deeply shocked by the timing of what it called a reckless act as it coincided with the inauguration of the president of Iran, an event attended by several foreign dignitaries, including the Deputy Prime Minister of Pakistan Ishaq Dar.
Dar led Pakistan’s delegation in the inauguration in the absence of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif who had to postpone his visit due to poor health.
“Pakistan views with serious concern the growing Israeli adventurism in the region,” the ministry said.“Its [Israel’s] latest acts constitute a dangerous escalation in an already volatile region and undermine efforts of peace.”
The ministry said Pakistan condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations including extrajudicial and extraterritorial killings irrespective of the motives.
‘Haniyeh was filled with spirit of martyrdom’
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) president Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman, who met Haniyeh in November last year, said the assassination of the Hamas political chief deeply saddened him.
“When I met Ismail Haniyeh, he was filled with the spirit of martyrdom. His martyrdom has deeply saddened me,” the JUI chief wrote in a post on X.
“Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam stands with Ismail Haniyeh’s family and the people of Palestine in their grief. His martyrdom will not end the Palestinian freedom movement; the sacrifices of Ismail Haniyeh and his family will not be in vain.
“Resolutions will be presented in national and provincial assemblies in recognition of Ismail Haniyeh’s services, and on Friday, protests against Israeli aggression and Ismail Haniyeh’s assassination will be held across Pakistan,” he said.
Jamaat-e-Islami chief Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman also condemned the killing of Haniyeh, saying “Israel and its allies will have to answer for this brutality”.
“This act has plunged the entire region into a new ordeal, making it clear that the conflict will no longer be confined to Gaza,” the JI chief wrote in a post on X.
“A new global alignment is emerging. Will the rulers of the Islamic world continue to turn a blind eye and silently support Israel? Isn’t it time to stand up against the oppressor and cut off their hand?”