Pakistan has reiterated its commitment to diplomacy and peaceful conflict resolution amid escalating tensions in the region, saying it is working to promote communication between different capitals.
Speaking during a weekly media briefing on Thursday, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi said Pakistan was playing the role of a bridge by facilitating contacts among regional capitals.
According to the 24NewsHD TV channel, he said Islamabad believed that all disputes should be resolved through respect for sovereignty, adherence to international law and dialogue.
The spokesperson said Pakistan had called for the restoration of negotiations to resolve the crisis in line with the United Nations Charter and international law.
Responding to a question regarding possible communications concerning the Strait of Hormuz, Andrabi said he could not confirm any final developments, though defence and military authorities remained in contact with their counterparts in Iran.
He also confirmed that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had departed for a one-day visit to Saudi Arabia, where he is expected to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
The visit is part of close consultations between the two countries on regional peace and security as well as ongoing diplomatic engagement in the Gulf, he said.
Andrabi said Pakistan condemned aggression against Iran as well as retaliatory attacks on regional states, stressing that such actions threatened peace and stability in the region.
He said the prime minister’s visit to Saudi Arabia formed part of continued consultations between Islamabad and Riyadh on regional developments and efforts to reduce tensions, promote a ceasefire and encourage diplomacy.
Regarding Iranian oil tankers, Andrabi said the matter concerned Iran and the relevant governments involved, and Pakistan did not have a specific position on it. He added that Islamabad could not directly comment on issues involving Iran and India.
He said Pakistan’s leadership remained in constant diplomatic contact with key regional countries. In this regard, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar had held three separate conversations with Iran’s foreign minister, while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had also spoken with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to exchange views on the regional situation.
According to the spokesperson, the prime minister had also maintained close contact with Gulf leaders through several telephone calls, including those in Oman and the United Arab Emirates.
He said Shehbaz Sharif had recently spoken to President Pezeshkian by telephone to exchange greetings on the holy month of Ramadan and express condolences on the martyrdom of Ali Khamenei. The prime minister also congratulated Iranian leadership on Mojtaba Khamenei assuming new responsibilities.
Andrabi said Pakistan had condemned attacks against the Islamic Republic of Iran, warning that such actions could undermine regional peace and stability. At the same time, he said Islamabad had also strongly condemned attacks attributed to Iran on Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, expressing solidarity with those countries.
The spokesperson also condemned recent attacks on Turkey and Azerbaijan, calling them clear violations of international law and state sovereignty. Pakistan, he said, had urged all parties to respect territorial integrity, avoid the use of force and return to negotiations.
He also expressed deep sorrow over the deaths of Pakistani nationals during recent tensions in the UAE and said the Pakistani diplomatic mission had assisted the families in repatriating the bodies of the deceased.
To help Pakistani citizens stranded in various countries during the crisis, Andrabi said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had activated a 24-hour crisis management unit. Pakistani embassies had established special facilitation desks to assist citizens with visas, travel arrangements and other services. Registration portals, application systems and helplines had also been launched to ensure rapid assistance.
Pakistani diplomatic missions, he added, remained in close coordination with host governments to ensure consular support for citizens abroad, while the prime minister had issued clear directives to facilitate overseas Pakistanis.
He further recalled that on February 28 Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had spoken by telephone with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, expressing concern over the Israeli attacks on Iran and the subsequent escalation of tensions in the region. The prime minister assured the Saudi leadership of Pakistan’s full support and solidarity in the prevailing situation.
Commenting on nuclear safety issues, Andrabi said India had not placed its civilian nuclear reactors under international safeguards, while Pakistan supported a non-discriminatory approach in this regard.
He also said Islamabad had taken note of statements attributed to the Afghan Taliban targeting the capital, adding that Islamabad was already under threat from militant attacks.
