Pakistan expels Iran ambassador after air strikes ,recalls ambassador from Iran

Hours after expelling Iran’s representative from its territory, Pakistan has recalled its top envoy from the country,  amid rising hostilities over Iranian air strikes on the alleged bases of Balochi militant group Jaish al Adl, according to media reports.

“This illegal act is completely unacceptable and has no justification whatsoever,” said the foreign office in a statement on Wednesday that followed its earlier remarks on Iran’s missile strike on Pakistani territory.

“Pakistan reserves the right to respond to this illegal act. The responsibility for the consequences will lie squarely with Iran.

“We have conveyed this message to the Iranian government. We have also informed them that Pakistan has decided to recall its ambassador from Iran and that the Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan who is currently visiting Iran may not return for the time being,” it added.

“We have also decided to suspend all high level visits which were ongoing or were planned between Pakistan and Iran in coming days.”

The FO office also termed Iran’s missile strike on Pakistani territory “a violation of international law and the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations.”

Islamabad’s reaction comes after it was reported on Tuesday that “two bases of Jaish al Adl in Pakistan were targeted by missiles”, according to Iranian state media, a day after Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards attacked targets in Iraq and Syria with missiles.

The strikes took place in the border town of Panjgur in Balochistan, according to reports.

“These bases were hit and destroyed by missiles and drones,” Iranian state media reported, without elaborating.