Pakistan(National Times)- ISLAMABAD: Criticising the recent US airstrikes targeting Iran’s nuclear sites, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has called on the incumbent government to urgently hold an all-parties conference (APC) to address the rapidly worsening regional tensions and to develop a unified stance on Israel’s aggressive actions, The News reported on Monday. The ongoing conflict in the Middle East witnessed a dangerous escalation after the US said it had “obliterated” Iran’s key nuclear sites to prevent it from allegedly developing nukes, joining Israel in the biggest Western military action against the Islamic Republic since its 1979 revolution. Amid the escalating crisis, PTI Information Secretary Waqas Akram also demanded the immediate release of Imran Khan, stressing that he should be included in key national decision-making processes concerning Israel’s unprovoked aggression against Iran and the ensuing US military actions. He contended that Tel Aviv was pushing the entire region to the brink of a devastating war. He also expressed alarm that the regional situation was fast changing and the government’s “ostrich-like” approach could prove disastrous. In a statement, he said the flames of the war had already reached Pakistan’s doorstep and underlined that Pakistan can undoubtedly weather the storm, just as it did against India, “but the power elite must take the nation into confidence and forge a consensus-driven approach because Pakistan is currently caught between a rock and a hard place”. Akram praised the PTI founder’s foresight, noting that a week earlier he had sent a message through his sisters to postpone the protest for two weeks due to the Iran-Israel conflict. “[US President] Donald Trump issued a deceptive signal, claiming he would not engage in the Israel war for the next two weeks,” he said, claiming: “Khan’s famous quote — ‘No one understands the West better than me’ — proved to be true.” He recalled that the Khan had said on the floor of the Parliament House that Pakistan could partner with the US in peace, but not in war, as the country had already paid an immeasurable cost in terms of both lives and resources for siding with the US in its meaningless and unnecessary wars. Waqas said Israel could not have invaded Iran without the strong backing and support of the US, which was evident from the airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities even after Tehran was given a two-week ultimatum, simply at the behest of the Israeli prime minister. “The US not only violated Iran’s sovereignty but also breached the UN Charter and resorted to an act that could have far-reaching and catastrophic consequences at both regional and international levels,” he added.