Pakistan urges early reopening of Strait of Hormuz, says FO

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday called for the prompt restoration of normal shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, with the Foreign Office saying the waterway remains critical for global trade and energy flows.

At the weekly media briefing in Islamabad, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said Pakistan was maintaining sustained contact with both Washington and Tehran in support of de-escalation and ceasefire efforts. He said “The clock of negotiations has not stopped,” while describing the ongoing mediation process as constructive.

According to Andrabi, recent ceasefire understandings had helped avert further escalation and reduce civilian casualties. He said Pakistan’s diplomatic outreach, led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and the senior military leadership, reflected the country’s commitment to resolving conflict through dialogue.

The spokesperson said the Strait of Hormuz was a vital route for international commerce and oil transportation, and stressed the need for the early resumption of regular maritime activity. He said keeping the passage open was essential for energy supplies, trade and the movement of goods, and expressed hope that negotiations would succeed and the route would be restored.

The briefing noted that the sea lane remains shut two months after the war that began with US-Israeli strikes on Iran. The closure has disrupted 20% of global oil and gas supplies, pushing up international energy prices and raising fears of an economic slowdown.

Andrabi also outlined a series of high-level contacts undertaken by Pakistan. These included multiple telephone conversations between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, consultations with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, meetings with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and participation in the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, where the prime minister met Turkish President Erdogan.

He said these engagements had reinforced Pakistan’s role in facilitating recent US-Iran ceasefire understandings and broader regional peace efforts, which he said had been acknowledged by international partners.

Updates on Pakistanis detained abroad

Responding to questions about overseas Pakistanis, the spokesperson said Pakistani authorities were working to secure the release of crew members aboard a hijacked vessel off the Somali coast. He said regional authorities had assured Pakistan that the matter was being closely monitored.

On Cambodia, Andrabi said more than 80 Pakistanis detained there had been granted consular access and would be repatriated after legal formalities were completed. He also urged citizens to remain cautious about fraudulent overseas employment offers.

He further said 27 Pakistani nationals detained in Kampala, Uganda, were due to return to Pakistan on Thursday, while about 30 others were arranging their travel. The remaining individuals, who were on visit visas, would also leave in due course. He added that Ugandan immigration authorities had imposed financial penalties, and Pakistan’s mission was engaging local authorities to seek a waiver.

Afghan shelling condemned

The Foreign Office also condemned what Andrabi described as unprovoked firing and shelling by Afghan forces on April 26 and 29 in border areas of South Waziristan, including Angoor Adda.

He said the incidents injured civilians, including women and children, and caused damage to homes. Andrabi expressed solidarity with the affected families and said steps were being taken to ensure safety and prevent further incidents.

He also rejected recent allegations by Kabul as propaganda and reiterated Pakistan’s position that Afghan territory must not be used for attacks against Pakistan.