Islamabad: Pakistan has renewed calls for restraint and diplomacy after the US and Iran exchanged attacks, bringing a weeks long lull in hostilities to an end and putting Islamabad’s mediation efforts back in focus.
Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said on Wednesday that Pakistan remained hopeful despite the latest escalation and would continue working to promote dialogue between Washington and Tehran.
Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif has also reiterated Pakistan’s support for a diplomatic solution. During a meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit, Sharif stressed the need for restraint, dialogue and diplomacy.
He also pointed to the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, reached in June, as a possible framework to restore stability and end the conflict.
Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar separately spoke with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi about the situation in the Middle East and Gulf. Pakistan has urged both sides to respect the interim peace arrangement and return to negotiations.
Islamabad played a key role in efforts to halt the fighting in June, hosting talks and facilitating the exchange of proposals between the US and Iran. The resulting understanding included provisions for a cessation of hostilities and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping.
That arrangement later broke down, and renewed fighting has raised fresh concerns about regional stability and international trade.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a major concern for Pakistan and the wider international community. The strategic waterway carries a significant share of global oil and gas shipments, making any disruption a potential threat to energy supplies and international markets.
Pakistan’s latest diplomatic push comes as both sides face renewed pressure to prevent further escalation. Islamabad has maintained that sustained engagement and diplomacy remain the preferred route towards ending the confrontation.
For Pakistan, the immediate priority remains returning to dialogue and implementing arrangements to reduce tensions and restore stability in the region.
