Pakistan strongly condemns drone attack on UAE nuclear power plant

Pakistan has strongly condemned the drone attack on the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant in the United Arab Emirates on 17 May 2026, expressing full solidarity with the brotherly people and Government of the UAE, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

According to a statement issued by the Foreign Office in Islamabad on Monday, any deliberate 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 resolutions of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

The FO statement said nuclear installations must never be targeted under any circumstances. “Such reckless actions carry potentially catastrophic and irreversible consequences for human life, the environment, and regional as well as global peace and security, it added.

The inviolability of civilian nuclear infrastructure is a well-established international norm and must be upheld without exception, the statement said.

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, the Foreign Office said and added, “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.”

PR No.1️⃣1️⃣8️⃣/2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣6️⃣

Pakistan Strongly Condemns the Drone Attack on the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant of the United Arab Emirates

⬇️https://t.co/7J7r1j6ZCH pic.twitter.com/DyMIR7bmoQ

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) May 18, 2026

Saudi Arabia's foreign ministry has also condemned the drone strike that triggered a fire near a nuclear power plant in the neighbouring United Arab Emirates.

The ministry said in a statement that the attack was "a threat to the security and stability of the region" and expressed its solidarity with the UAE, saying it would "support all measures taken to preserve the sovereignty, security and territorial integrity" of the country.

PM Shehbaz urges all sides to exercise restraint

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has strongly condemned the drone attack on the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant in the United Arab Emirates.

In a post on X handle, he said we stand in full solidarity with the leadership and the brotherly people of the United Arab Emirates.

The Prime Minister urged all parties to exercise maximum restraint and fulfill their obligations under international law.

He emphasized that dialogue and diplomacy remain the only viable path toward lasting regional peace, stability and de-escalation.

Reporter Anwer Abbas/Agencies