ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Tuesday termed a report by a US television channel, claiming that Islamabad "quietly allowed" Iranian military aircraft to park on its airfields while playing the role of a mediator in the Middle East conflict, as "misleading and sensationalised."
In a statement on Tuesday, Pakistan's Foreign Office said, "Pakistan categorically rejects the CBS News report regarding the presence of Iranian aircraft at Nur Khan Airbase as misleading and sensationalised. Such speculative narratives appear aimed at undermining ongoing efforts for regional stability and peace."
The statement further said, "Following the ceasefire and during the initial round of the Islamabad Talks, several aircraft from Iran and the US arrived in Pakistan to facilitate the movement of diplomatic personnel, security teams and administrative staff associated with the talks process."
"Among the military hardware was an Iranian Air Force RC-130, a reconnaissance and intelligence-gathering variant of the Lockheed C-130 Hercules tactical transport aircraft," the report added.
Citing US officials, American TV channel CBS News had alleged that days after US President Trump announced the ceasefire with Iran in early April, Tehran sent multiple aircraft to the Nur Khan Air Base.
The foreign office statement further said that some aircraft and support personnel remained temporarily in Pakistan in "anticipation of subsequent rounds of engagement."
“Although formal negotiations have not yet resumed, senior-level diplomatic exchanges have continued. In this context, visits by the Iranian foreign minister to Islamabad were facilitated through the existing logistical and administrative arrangements," it said.
“The Iranian aircraft currently parked in Pakistan arrived during the ceasefire period and bears no linkage whatsoever to any military contingency or preservation arrangement. Assertions suggesting otherwise are speculative, misleading, and entirely detached from the factual context," the foreign office asserted.
The statement added, "Pakistan has consistently acted as an impartial, constructive, and responsible facilitator in support of dialogue and de-escalation. In line with this role, Pakistan has extended routine logistical and administrative support where required, while maintaining full transparency and regular communication with all relevant parties."
"Pakistan remains committed to supporting all sincere efforts aimed at promoting dialogue, reducing tensions, and advancing regional and global peace, stability, and security," it said.
