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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan remains committed to dialogue and diplomacy to help resolve the growing tensions between Iran and the United States, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said on Wednesday.
Speaking at his weekly media briefing, Andrabi said Islamabad remained hopeful despite the recent escalation between Washington and Tehran.
“Despite recent escalations, we remain hopeful and we will continue to strive for dialogue and diplomacy,” he said.
The spokesperson said Pakistan was working with friendly countries to support efforts aimed at resolving the crisis. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also discussed the situation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit.
According to Andrabi, the prime minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to peace through restraint, dialogue and diplomacy.
Pakistan has also maintained that the understanding reached under the Islamabad memorandum of understanding offers a viable route towards lasting peace and stability in the region.
Andrabi said Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held discussions with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on the sidelines of the SCO Summit in Bishkek.
The FO spokesperson said Pakistan’s leadership had also discussed the security situation in the Gulf and Middle East during engagements in Istanbul.
He pointed to Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir’s recent visit to Tehran as part of Islamabad’s diplomatic efforts to help end the US-Iran conflict.
The discussions focused on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, reducing regional tensions, breaking the military deadlock and exploring a negotiated settlement.
Andrabi said the visit helped create momentum for further diplomatic engagement. He noted that the leadership of Oman and Qatar subsequently undertook visits linked to efforts to ease the crisis.
He said Pakistan would continue supporting diplomatic efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in the region.
The spokesperson also addressed the Indus Waters Treaty during the briefing.
Andrabi said the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague had reaffirmed on September 1 that the treaty remained in force and legally binding.
He said the court rejected India’s unilateral attempt to place the treaty in abeyance.
According to Andrabi, the unanimous decision reaffirmed the importance of the treaty and the principle of international law.
He said the court had confirmed that India’s decision could not release it from its obligations under the treaty. The treaty’s dispute-resolution mechanism also remained operational, he added.
Pakistan welcomed the ruling and maintained that all differences concerning the Indus Waters Treaty should be resolved within the treaty’s framework and in accordance with international law.
Andrabi also discussed Pakistan’s role as the current chair of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.
Pakistan has assumed the organisation’s chairmanship and will host the SCO Summit next year.
The country will promote the theme “Turning Vision into Action, Connectivity, Innovation and Shared Prosperity.”
According to the spokesperson, Islamabad will work with other SCO members to promote regional peace and stability.
The agenda will also focus on economic cooperation, connectivity, innovation and shared development.
The FO spokesperson also briefed journalists about the first meeting of the Strategic, Political and Defence Committee established under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement.
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye held the inaugural meeting in Istanbul on August 31.
The three countries reaffirmed their commitment to regional peace, stability and de-escalation. They also agreed to strengthen cooperation under the Makkah Agreement.
The countries plan to establish a secretariat in Saudi Arabia under the leadership of a secretary-general.
Pakistan will initially provide the secretary-general for a three-year term, Andrabi said.
The three countries will also expand cooperation in defence industries, joint technology development and production.
The initiative aims to strengthen the capabilities and coordination of their armed forces while supporting regional security.
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During his visit to Istanbul, DPM Dar also met Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.
The two sides welcomed the continued growth of Pakistan-Türkiye relations in political, economic, security and cultural fields.
They agreed to hold the next session of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council as soon as possible, potentially later this year.
Dar also held a meeting with Türkiye’s defence minister and discussed regional and international developments.
Before travelling to Istanbul, the deputy prime minister visited London. He held meetings with British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband, Minister of State Stephen Doughty and National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell.
He also met International Maritime Organisation Secretary-General Arsenio de Villegas and Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey.
Andrabi thanked journalists for covering Pakistan’s diplomatic engagements and said the Foreign Office would continue communicating developments through official channels.
At the conclusion of the briefing, Andrabi thanked members of the media for their cooperation and support during his tenure as Foreign Office spokesperson.
He said his interactions with journalists had created lasting professional friendships.
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