ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has positioned itself as a diplomatic “bridge builder” among regional capitals as tensions escalate in the Middle East following attacks on Iran by the United States and Israel, according to officials.
Speaking at the weekly media briefing, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said Pakistan’s stance is firmly rooted in international law, respect for sovereignty, and adherence to the principles of the United Nations Charter. He emphasised that Islamabad continues to advocate dialogue and diplomacy instead of the use of force to resolve disputes.
Pakistan has strongly condemned what it described as unjustified attacks on Iran, noting that the strikes occurred while diplomatic efforts were underway to find a peaceful solution. Officials warned that continued escalation could threaten stability across the region.
At the same time, Pakistan has also criticised retaliatory attacks launched from Iran against several Gulf states, stressing that violations of sovereignty must be avoided on all sides. Islamabad reiterated that its policy centres on diplomacy, restraint and respect for international norms.
According to the spokesperson, Pakistan is actively maintaining communication channels with several countries involved in or affected by the tensions, including Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Iran. Frequent high-level contacts have taken place between Pakistani leaders and their regional counterparts in recent days.
Pakistan’s deputy prime minister has held multiple telephone conversations with Abbas Araghchi, while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. Officials say the prime minister’s current visit to Saudi Arabia is part of Islamabad’s broader diplomatic outreach aimed at promoting regional stability.
Responding to questions regarding Iran’s reported conditions for allowing oil tankers to pass through regional waters, the spokesperson said the matter primarily concerns Iran and the respective countries involved. He declined to comment on any specific arrangements between Tehran and India.
He also confirmed that Pakistan’s naval authorities had recently communicated with Iranian counterparts regarding maritime security in the region, particularly in connection with the strategic Strait of Hormuz, though he could not verify whether any discussions had taken place in the past two days.
Islamabad further condemned strikes attributed to Iran against several regional states, including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, and the UAE, describing them as violations of sovereignty and international law. Pakistan also voiced concern over reported attacks affecting Türkiye and Azerbaijan, warning that such actions risk further escalating tensions in the region.
Throughout the ongoing crisis, Pakistan has consistently called on all parties to respect territorial integrity, avoid military escalation, and return to negotiations in line with international law and the UN Charter.
Officials also expressed concern about possible spillover effects along Pakistan’s western border, particularly in Balochistan, after reports that some Iranian nationals had entered Pakistan through the Gwadar and Turbat border areas. Security forces have reportedly increased vigilance to prevent any potential security risks.
Meanwhile, commenting on relations with Afghanistan, the spokesperson reiterated Pakistan’s demand for verifiable assurances that Afghan territory would not be used for militant activities against Pakistan.
He also confirmed the visit of Chinese Special Envoy Yue Xiaoyong, noting that Islamabad maintains close coordination with China on regional security matters, particularly regarding concerns about militancy originating from Afghanistan.
