Pakistan facilitating regional dialogue amid Iran War: FO

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is playing the role of a “bridge builder” amid the ongoing war between the United States, Israel and Iran, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said on Thursday, highlighting Islamabad’s diplomatic engagements with key regional and international stakeholders.

The conflict began on February 28 when the United States and Israel launched strikes on Tehran, resulting in the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran retaliated by targeting US assets and bases in several Gulf countries, prompting the United Nations Security Council to adopt a resolution addressing the escalating situation.

During his weekly press briefing, Andrabi said Pakistan had maintained open communication channels with Iran, Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states as part of its efforts to help ease tensions. He noted that Pakistan’s stance on sovereignty, adherence to international law and the UN Charter, as well as its consistent advocacy for dialogue and diplomacy, had earned respect across regional capitals.

“There is a level of exchange of communication and Pakistan is playing the role of a bridge builder,” Andrabi said, adding that the country’s diplomatic outreach allowed it to facilitate dialogue among relevant stakeholders.

He pointed out that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar had held multiple phone calls with leaders and officials from various countries in recent days to discuss the worsening crisis and urge de-escalation.

Andrabi also confirmed ongoing diplomatic engagement with the United States, noting that Pakistan’s foreign secretary had spoken with the US under secretary of state and that contacts continued at multiple diplomatic levels. He added that Pakistan remained in close communication with the US State Department through its embassy in Washington, while the US embassy in Islamabad was also actively engaged.

The spokesperson said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a telephone conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Wednesday, during which the two leaders exchanged Ramazan greetings. The prime minister also conveyed condolences over the martyrdom of Ayatollah Khamenei and congratulated Mojtaba Khamenei on assuming the responsibilities of Iran’s new supreme leader.

According to Andrabi, the prime minister expressed hope that Iran would enjoy peace, stability and prosperity in the years ahead.

Responding to questions about a social media post by President Pezeshkian outlining conditions for ending the war, Andrabi said Pakistan had taken note of the statement as part of the broader diplomatic discourse. He said such positions were aimed at the international community and would form part of ongoing diplomatic exchanges.

The spokesperson also addressed concerns about disruptions in maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, which have contributed to a fuel crisis. He confirmed that Pakistan had been in contact with Iranian authorities to ensure the safe passage of Pakistani ships through the strategic waterway.

Separately, Andrabi clarified that a delegation reportedly visiting Afghanistan to engage with the Afghan Taliban was not part of any official initiative by the Pakistani government. He said the individuals were travelling in a non-official capacity and the Foreign Office had no detailed knowledge of their engagements.

On Pakistan’s engagement with China regarding Afghanistan, Andrabi confirmed that Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar had recently held a telephone conversation with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. He noted that Pakistan and China shared a long-standing strategic partnership based on mutual trust and had similar views on regional issues, including Afghanistan.

He added that Afghanistan remained part of both Pakistan-China bilateral dialogue and their trilateral dialogue framework, expressing hope that visiting Chinese envoy Yue Xiaoyong would hold productive discussions in Pakistan on shared concerns, particularly terrorism emanating from Afghan territory.

However, Andrabi said he had no information about reports suggesting that a Turkish delegation had arrived in Pakistan to broker a ceasefire between Islamabad and Kabul.