Pakistan rejects ‘foreign-backed disinformation’ campaign targeting Iran–US mediation role

• Attaullah Tarar alleges coordinated external effort to discredit Islamabad’s peace efforts

• Vows Pakistan will continue to expose nefarious designs of campaign’s perpetrators

• FO denies China asked Pakistan to ‘do more’ in Iran–US mediation, reiterating diplomacy as only path to regional peace and stability

 

 ISLAMABAD: Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar on Thursday alleged that a “foreign-backed disinformation campaign” is being run to discredit Islamabad’s efforts to facilitate sustainable peace between the United States and Iran, saying the campaign seeks to create confusion through “unnamed sources” and misleading narratives.

In a post on X, the minister said a “coordinated negative information campaign” originating from outside Pakistan had been underway for the past several days with malicious intent.

For the past few days, a coordinated negative information campaign is being being observed , initiated from outside Pakistan, with malicious intent. The objective of this is to create deliberate confusion and misinformation, quoting unnamed sources and officials. This…

— Attaullah Tarar (@TararAttaullah) May 14, 2026

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“For the past few days, a coordinated negative information campaign is being observed, initiated from outside Pakistan, with malicious intent,” Tarar wrote.

His statement comes after a CBS News report claimed that Pakistan had allowed Iranian military aircraft to be stationed at Nur Khan Airbase to potentially shield them from US strikes. The Foreign Office rejected the report, terming it misleading and clarifying that Iranian aircraft present in Pakistan were not linked to any military contingency or defensive arrangement with Tehran.

Separately, during the weekly media briefing on Thursday, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi also rejected reports suggesting that China had asked Islamabad to “do more” in mediating between Iran and the United States, stating that Beijing had instead expressed support for Pakistan’s diplomatic engagement.

Earlier this week, US President Donald Trump publicly backed Pakistan’s mediation efforts, even as US Senator Lindsey Graham criticised Islamabad’s diplomatic role.

Minister Tarar said it was regrettable that attempts were being made to discredit Pakistan’s role in promoting regional peace, adding that such efforts reflected the frustration of those opposed to stability.

“This unprofessional intent to discredit Pakistan’s role for sustainable peace in the region speaks of the frustration of those who are weary of peace,” he said.

He further alleged that certain elements unable to accept Pakistan’s role in regional diplomacy and its counterterrorism efforts were behind the campaign.

“However, Pakistan and its responsible media will continue to expose the nefarious designs of those behind this coordinated campaign,” he said, adding that the role of Pakistani media and digital influencers in countering misinformation was commendable.

‘DO MORE’ CLAIMS AND CLARIFICATION

Earlier in the day, at the weekly foreign press briefing in Islamabad, the FO spokesperson referred to a telephone call between Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on May 12, during which regional developments and Pakistan’s facilitation efforts regarding Iran–US engagement were discussed.

Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 spoke today with Foreign Minister of the People’s Republic of China, Wang Yi.

The two leaders exchanged in-depth views on recent regional developments and Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to facilitate… pic.twitter.com/MUXVisOIY2

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) May 12, 2026

“Some reports suggested that the Chinese side urged us to enhance the mediation efforts, implying as if Pakistan was being asked to do so in a ‘do-more’ paradigm,” he said, rejecting the interpretation.

“I wish to place on record that such reports somewhat misrepresent the call, both in letter and in spirit,” Andrabi added, stressing that the conversation was held in a spirit of “traditional warmth and cordiality.”

Weekly Press Briefing by the Spokesperson @TahirAndrabi

On Iran - US Peace Process pic.twitter.com/z85aav3a2O

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) May 14, 2026

The clarification comes as Pakistan has recently positioned itself as a facilitator in efforts to ease tensions between Tehran and Washington amid concerns over regional stability, global energy markets, and maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy route.

Islamabad has consistently maintained that diplomacy remains the only viable path toward sustainable peace and long-term regional stability.

In recent weeks, senior Pakistani leadership including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Ishaq Dar have engaged in a series of diplomatic contacts with Iran, the United States, China, Gulf states, and other international partners to support de-escalation efforts.