Islamabad (TDI): Pakistan on Monday strongly condemned the drone attack targeting the United Arab Emirates’ Barakah Nuclear Power Plant, warning that any assault on civilian nuclear facilities could have devastating consequences for regional and global security.
In a statement, the Foreign Office said such attacks represented a serious violation of international law, international humanitarian law, and globally accepted nuclear safety principles.
“Any deliberate targeting of nuclear facilities constitutes a grave violation of international law,” the statement said, adding that civilian nuclear infrastructure must never be targeted under any circumstances.
The Foreign Office warned that such actions could trigger “catastrophic and irreversible consequences” for human life, the environment, and international peace and stability.
The condemnation came after a drone strike near the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in Abu Dhabi triggered a fire on Sunday. UAE authorities said there were no casualties and no impact on radiation levels.
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According to the UAE defense ministry, security forces intercepted two additional drones launched from the western border area, while investigations into the source of the attack remain underway.
Officials in the UAE described the incident as a terrorist attack and said the country reserved the right to respond appropriately.
The Barakah Nuclear Power Plant, located around 200 kilometres west of Abu Dhabi near the Saudi and Qatari borders, began operations in 2020 and supplies roughly a quarter of the UAE’s electricity needs.
Authorities said the drone struck an electrical generator outside the plant’s inner perimeter, limiting the impact on critical operations.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed that emergency diesel generators were supplying power to one of the plant’s units and urged “maximum military restraint” around all nuclear facilities.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office also called on all parties in the region to exercise restraint and avoid actions that could further escalate tensions.
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“Dialogue and diplomacy, consistent with the principles and purposes of the United Nations Charter, remain the only viable path toward lasting peace, stability and de-escalation in the region,” the statement added.
The UAE has previously accused Iran of targeting its energy infrastructure amid escalating regional tensions, although Emirati authorities have not yet publicly identified those responsible for the latest drone attack.
