The Foreign Office on Thursday rubbished claims that Chief of Defense Forces (CDF) and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir visited Iran as an “envoy” for the United States, dubbing them “misleading and factually incorrect.”
Earlier this week, the Army chief and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi visited Tehran as part of Islamabad’s ongoing efforts to end the ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict. Referring to the discussions during that visit, FO spokesperson Tahir Andrabi told a weekly press briefing they had focused on regional de-escalation, ending the military stalemate, and exploring a negotiated settlement for peace and stability.
“I will also highlight that claims by certain quarters that the COAS and CDF visited Iran as envoy of President Trump or the U.S. are misleading and factually incorrect, as his visit was undertaken purely in the context and backdrop of Pakistan’s role as a mediator,” he said.
Andrabi said the visit highlighted Islamabad’s “sincere and constructive role in bridging the difference between Washington and Tehran.” He said the Iranian leadership had appreciated Pakistan’s efforts towards de-escalation and peaceful resolution of the conflict.
“Pakistan will continue to actively pursue diplomatic engagement and support all sincere efforts aimed at reviving the peace talks and achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting resolution of the conflict,” he added.
Afghanistan
To a question on Afghan Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani’s remarks on a proposed security mechanism to address contentious issues, the spokesperson said Islamabad was aware of this proposal. “We remain open to state-level dialogue. However, the sustainability of any mechanism will depend on tangible actions rather than mere assurances,” he said, stressing a precursor must be an end to the use of Afghan soil to perpetrate terrorism against Pakistan.
“Kabul must honor its international commitments, including those under the Doha framework and ensure that Afghan soil is not used by hostile proxies, particularly the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and the Baloch Liberation Army, against Pakistan,” he said.
India
To another question, Andrabi rubbished claims of former India defense chief, Anil Chauhan, claiming an Indian drone had accidentally struck the Kirana Hills near Sargodha during the May 2025 conflict. “We categorically reject the self-contradictory and retrospective claims made by the former Indian chief of defense staff regarding Kirana Hills,” he said.
The spokesperson emphasized that “Pakistan’s layered air defense network effectively thwarted India’s military objectives, while Pakistan’s subsequent response under Operation Bunyanum Marsoos demonstrated our ability to impose cost across the conflict spectrum.” He maintained no “strategic asset or sensitive infrastructure was compromised in Pakistan.”
Andrabi said history is “established by facts and evidence, not by Bollywood-style retrospective claims.”
Makkah Accord
On reports of Bangladesh wishing to join the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye, the spokesperson said the accord remained to countries that shared its commitments to collective obligations and common security interests.
He stressed that the pact is a “defensive framework aimed at safeguarding peace and promoting regional stability,” adding any formal request by another country to join the pact would be considered by all three members.