Pakistan remains hopeful for diplomatic solution to US-Iran tensions

Pakistan remains committed to pursuing a diplomatic solution to the escalating tensions between the United States and Iran, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said on Wednesday.

Andrabi said Islamabad had not abandoned hopes for a negotiated settlement despite the latest escalation between Washington and Tehran.

Pakistan has remained active in diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing tensions. In June, Islamabad helped facilitate the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, while it had earlier brokered a ceasefire between the United States and Iran in April.

The April truce brought an end to the most intense phase of fighting, although intermittent attacks, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz, have complicated efforts to secure a lasting agreement.

The spokesperson said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif recently met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit to discuss the evolving regional situation.

Barcelona Raphinha, Yamal inspire 5-2 comeback win over Rayo Vallecano

Shehbaz reiterated Pakistan’s support for resolving disputes through restraint, dialogue and diplomacy. He also described the Islamabad MoU as the most practical route towards durable peace and stability in the region, Andrabi said.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also held discussions with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. The two ministers had previously exchanged views on the situation in the Middle East and Gulf during the Makkah summit in Istanbul.

Andrabi also highlighted Field Marshal Asim Munir’s recent visit to Tehran as part of Pakistan’s diplomatic initiative. Discussions focused on facilitating the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, reducing regional tensions and pursuing a negotiated settlement.

“These were among the main issues discussed during the visit,” the spokesperson said.

On the Indus Waters Treaty, Andrabi said India could not selectively accept or reject international decisions, arguing that the recent ruling by an international arbitration court in The Hague supported Pakistan’s position.

He said Pakistan welcomed the ruling and maintained that India’s rejection of the decision amounted to disregard for international law and the sanctity of agreements.

“The decision on the Indus Waters Treaty is very clear,” Andrabi said, adding that India could not decide which international rulings to follow according to its convenience.

The spokesperson also briefed journalists on the trilateral cooperation mechanism established under the Makkah Agreement. Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye held a committee meeting in Istanbul on August 31 and agreed to work jointly on matters of mutual interest.

The mechanism’s secretariat will be established in Saudi Arabia, while Pakistan will hold the secretary-general position for three years, Andrabi said.

He rejected reports that the name of the agreement had been changed, explaining that differences in its description reflected translations into Turkish, Arabic and English.

Turning to Afghanistan, Andrabi said China’s special representative for Afghanistan had visited Islamabad and met Pakistan’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Ambassador Mohammad Sadiq.

He described an address by Afghanistan’s chargé d’affaires at the National Defence University as a routine diplomatic engagement, saying diplomats and ambassadors regularly visit universities.

“There should not be any attempt to read more into it,” he said, calling the matter a “non-issue”. Andrabi also said he was unaware of any post made by the Afghan envoy on X.