United Nations, 19 May 2026(Ghufran):
Mr. President,
I thank Director General Grossi for his briefing.
2. Pakistan strongly condemns the drone attack on the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in the United Arab Emirates on 17 May. Pakistan stands in complete solidarity with the Government and the brotherly people of the UAE in the wake of this heinous attack and reiterates its full support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all friendly countries of the region.
3. Pakistan also condemns in the strongest possible terms the drone attacks carried out against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia which constitute a serious violation of Kingdom’s sovereignty, and territorial integrity and appear to be an attempt to further undermine the regional peace and stability. We stand in solidarity with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and reaffirm our full and unwavering support for the Kingdom’s security, peace and prosperity.
Mr. President,
4. Any and all targeting of nuclear facilities constitutes a grave violation of international law, including international humanitarian law, the United Nations Charter, and the fundamental principles of nuclear safety and security enshrined in the Statute and various resolutions of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
5. Pakistan has previously articulated it’s clear position on this issue in the Council, and we reiterate that nuclear installations must never be targeted under any circumstances. The inviolability of civilian nuclear infrastructure is a well-established international norm and must be upheld without exception. Increasing incidents of attacks against nuclear facilities demand serious introspection and action to address the legal, safety and security implications of such attacks.
6. In addition to serious violation of international law, attacks against nuclear facilities pose a grave danger to the safety of populations in the region. As a neighbouring country we remain seriously concerned about this dangerous trend. Such reckless actions carry potentially catastrophic and irreversible consequences for human life, the environment, and regional as well as global peace and security.
Mr. President,
7. The unacceptable drone attacks against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and against the UAE’s Barakah Nuclear Power Plant are yet another reminder of the imperative to definitively stop the ongoing tensions and confrontation in the region. Pakistan calls upon all parties to exercise maximum restraint, fulfil their obligations under international law and international humanitarian law, and avoid any actions that could further escalate tensions with consequences extending far beyond the region.
8. As also underlined by DG Grossi and other colleagues, dialogue and diplomacy, consistent with the principles and purposes of the UN Charter, remain the only viable path toward de-escalation and lasting peace and stability in the region.
9. It is in this context that Pakistan has been making sincere efforts to facilitate diplomatic engagement between the concerned parities – and we thank the parties and all our partners, as well as the UN Secretary-General for supporting these efforts.
10. Let me reiterate that there is no alternative to diplomacy and dialogue for peaceful resolution of disputes. Pakistan will continue to play its constructive role to facilitate dialogue between the parties for a fruitful outcome.