ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has reaffirmed its commitment to diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the US-Iran conflict, saying the latest exchange of attacks has not diminished Islamabad’s hope for a negotiated settlement.
Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said Wednesday that Pakistan would continue encouraging both Washington and Tehran to return to dialogue despite the renewed escalation following weeks of relative calm.
“Despite recent escalations, we remain hopeful, and we will continue to strive for dialogue and diplomacy,” Andrabi said during his weekly press briefing.
He described the renewed confrontation as “concerning and undesirable” but said Islamabad did not consider the latest developments a setback to its diplomatic initiative.
According to the spokesperson, armed conflicts generally pass through different phases, including escalation, de-escalation, ceasefire and eventually negotiations. Pakistan, he said, remained focused on helping the parties move towards the diplomatic stage.
Islamabad MoU remains available for renewed talks
Andrabi said Pakistan had engaged in the peace process with “complete sincerity” and would continue facilitating communication between the two sides.
He pointed to the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), agreed by Tehran and Washington on June 18, as a framework that could facilitate the resumption of political and technical negotiations once both sides were prepared to return to the table.
The 14-point interim framework was designed to help end the conflict and establish a pathway towards a longer-term settlement.
“The framework remains in place,” Andrabi said, stressing that there was no basis for declaring the Islamabad MoU ineffective or obsolete.
He added that strong rhetoric from either side during periods of heightened tensions was not unusual and expressed hope that negotiations would resume after the latest escalation subsided.
Asim Munir’s Tehran visit
The FO spokesperson also highlighted Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir’s recent visit to Tehran, describing it as an important component of Pakistan’s diplomatic engagement.
He said the visit focused on efforts to ease regional tensions, encourage negotiations and generate fresh momentum towards resolving the conflict peacefully.
Subsequent visits by the leadership of Oman and Qatar also reflected continued diplomatic activity aimed at finding a way out of the confrontation, Andrabi said.
Pakistan, he added, would remain engaged in efforts to promote dialogue, de-escalation and regional stability.
Hague ruling reinforces Indus Waters Treaty
Turning to the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), Andrabi welcomed the Permanent Court of Arbitration’s ruling in The Hague reaffirming that the treaty remains in force and legally binding.
He said the unanimous ruling represented an important reaffirmation of the treaty’s sanctity and the principle that international disputes must be settled through established legal mechanisms.
The court rejected the notion that India’s unilateral decision to place the treaty in “abeyance” could free it from its obligations under the agreement.
Andrabi said the ruling also confirmed that the treaty’s dispute-resolution mechanism remained operational.
The court has further tasked the World Bank-appointed neutral expert with determining by July 2027 whether the construction of certain hydroelectric projects in the Himalayan region complies with the treaty.
India announced the suspension of the treaty after an April 2025 attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), in which 26 people were killed. New Delhi accused Pakistan of involvement, a charge Islamabad rejected. The dispute was followed by intense military clashes in May before a US-brokered ceasefire took effect.
According to Andrabi, the court’s findings reinforced Pakistan’s longstanding position that differences over the IWT must be addressed through the treaty itself and in accordance with international law.
He said an interim measure concerning the Ratle Hydroelectric Power Project further demonstrated that treaty-based rights and obligations could not be unilaterally altered or set aside.
“Pakistan welcomes these clear and authoritative pronouncements,” the spokesperson said.
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye deepen defence coordination
Discussing the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, Andrabi said its Strategic Political and Defence Committee convened its first meeting in Istanbul on August 31.
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye agreed to formalise cooperation under the agreement, strengthen collective defence arrangements and improve coordination on shared security concerns.
The three countries also reiterated their commitment to regional peace and stability, including efforts to resolve crises and prevent further escalation.
Andrabi said a permanent secretariat for the agreement would be established in Saudi Arabia, with Pakistan initially providing the secretary-general for a three-year term.
The three sides also agreed to expand collaboration in defence production, technology development and strengthening the operational capabilities of their armed forces.
Pakistan outlines priorities as SCO chair
On Pakistan’s assumption of the chairmanship of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), Andrabi said Islamabad had adopted the theme “Turning Vision into Action: Connectivity, Innovation and Shared Prosperity.”
He said Pakistan intended to use its chairmanship to advance cooperation in connectivity, innovation and economic development while promoting greater practical collaboration among SCO member states.
