Pakistan Remains ‘Hopeful’, Committed to Dialogue Amid US-Iran Tensions: FO

Spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi says Islamabad continues diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the US-Iran standoff; PM Shehbaz Sharif, DPM Dar and Field Marshal Asim Munir engaged in regional peace efforts.

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Office (FO) Spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi said on Wednesday that Pakistan remained hopeful about resolving the escalating tensions between Iran and the United States through dialogue and diplomacy, reaffirming Islamabad’s commitment to peaceful efforts aimed at de-escalating the crisis and promoting regional stability.

Speaking at the Foreign Office’s weekly media briefing, Andrabi said Pakistan would continue working with its brotherly countries to support diplomatic efforts and find a peaceful way forward despite the recent intensification of the conflict. “Despite the recent escalation, we remain hopeful and will continue to strive for dialogue and diplomacy,” the spokesperson said.

Pakistan Continues Diplomatic Engagement with Iran

Andrabi said Pakistan had remained actively engaged in efforts to address the crisis. He pointed to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit, where the two leaders discussed the evolving regional situation. The prime minister, he said, reiterated Pakistan’s sincere commitment to achieving peace through restraint, dialogue and diplomacy.

Andrabi further said Islamabad had emphasised that the understanding reached under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) provided the most viable route toward achieving lasting peace and stability in the region.

Ishaq Dar Holds Talks with Iranian Counterpart

The spokesperson said Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also held discussions with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on the sidelines of the SCO Summit in Bishkek. The talks focused on the developing regional situation and efforts to reduce tensions through diplomatic engagement.

Andrabi said the situation in the Gulf and wider Middle East had also been discussed during meetings in Istanbul involving Pakistani leadership and counterparts from other regional countries on the sidelines of the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement meeting.

Field Marshal Asim Munir’s Tehran Visit Part of Peace Efforts

Andrabi said the recent visit of Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir to Iran was also part of Pakistan’s broader diplomatic initiative to help facilitate an end to the US-Iran conflict.

According to the spokesperson, discussions during the visit particularly focused on efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, promote regional de-escalation, overcome the existing military stalemate and explore possibilities for a negotiated settlement.

“The visit underscored Islamabad’s sincere and constructive role in bridging differences between Washington and Tehran,” Andrabi said. He added that the visit had generated diplomatic momentum, reflected in subsequent engagements and visits by the leadership of Oman and Qatar.

Pakistan Welcomes International Court Ruling on Indus Waters Treaty

Turning to relations with India, Andrabi said the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague had reaffirmed on September 1 that the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) remained fully operational and legally binding.

He said the court rejected India’s unilateral attempt to place the treaty in abeyance. According to Andrabi, the unanimous ruling represented an important reaffirmation of the treaty’s sanctity and the principle of international law.

He said the court had made clear that India’s purported decision to suspend the treaty did not release it from its obligations under the agreement and that the treaty’s dispute-resolution mechanism remained in operation.

The spokesperson also referred to an interim measure concerning the Ratna Hydroelectric Power Project, saying it further confirmed that the rights and obligations established under the treaty could not be altered or displaced through unilateral action.

“Pakistan welcomes these clear and authoritative pronouncements,” Andrabi said. He added that the rulings reinforced Islamabad’s longstanding position that all disputes concerning the Indus Waters Treaty must be resolved strictly within the framework of the treaty and in accordance with international law.

Pakistan Assumes SCO Chairmanship

The Foreign Office spokesperson also discussed Pakistan’s role as the incoming chair of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. He said Pakistan had assumed the SCO chairmanship and would host the organisation’s summit next year under the theme: “Turning Vision into Action, Connectivity, Innovation and Shared Prosperity.”

Pakistan, Andrabi said, would work closely with SCO member states to advance the organisation’s goals of promoting regional peace and stability, expanding economic cooperation and connectivity, and encouraging shared development and prosperity.

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye Strengthen Defence Cooperation

Andrabi also briefed journalists on the inaugural meeting of the Strategic, Political and Defence Committee established under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement.

The meeting was held in Istanbul on August 31 and brought together Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye. The three countries reaffirmed their commitment to regional peace, stability and de-escalation, including through restraint and the peaceful settlement of disputes.

They also agreed to further institutionalise cooperation under the Makkah Agreement by strengthening solidarity, collective deterrence and defence cooperation, as well as joint security efforts aimed at promoting what they described as a just, inclusive and lasting peace.

Secretariat to Be Established in Saudi Arabia

According to Andrabi, a permanent secretariat headed by a secretary-general will be established in Saudi Arabia. Pakistan will initially provide the secretary-general for a three-year term, he said. The three countries also agreed to expand cooperation in the defence industry, including joint technological development and production, with the objective of enhancing the capabilities and cohesion of their armed forces while contributing to regional stability.

Ishaq Dar Meets Turkish Leadership

On the sidelines of the Istanbul meeting, DPM Ishaq Dar met Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. The two sides welcomed the continued strengthening of Pakistan-Türkiye relations across political, economic, security and cultural areas. They agreed to hold the next session of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council as soon as possible, potentially later this year.

Both sides also agreed to maintain close coordination on regional and international issues in support of peace and stability. Andrabi said Dar also held a meeting with Türkiye’s defence minister during his Istanbul visit.

Dar’s London Meetings Before Istanbul Visit

Before travelling to Istanbul, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar was in London, where he held meetings with several senior British and international officials. His engagements included meetings with British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband, Minister of State Stephen Doughty, National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell, International Maritime Organisation Secretary-General Arsenio de Villegas and Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey.

Andrabi said the Foreign Office had issued statements regarding these important diplomatic engagements and thanked journalists for appropriately covering them.

Andrabi Thanks Journalists as Tenure Nears End

At the conclusion of the briefing, Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi thanked members of the media for their cooperation, understanding and support during his tenure as spokesperson.

Andrabi said he valued his association with journalists and believed that their regular interaction had resulted in lasting professional friendships. He expressed appreciation for the media’s continued engagement with the Foreign Office and its coverage of Pakistan’s diplomatic activities.