Pakistan on Wednesday vowed to continue its efforts to promote peace between the U.S. and Iran after the two countries exchanged strikes following a month-long lull in hostilities.
“Despite recent escalations, we remain hopeful, and we will continue to strive for dialogue and diplomacy,” Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi told a weekly press briefing. He said both sides had carried out armed attacks and retaliatory strikes in the U.S.-Iran conflict, while Islamabad was closely monitoring the situation.
According to Andrabi, armed conflicts typically move through stages of de-escalation, calm, ceasefire and eventually a return to the negotiating table. Describing the current escalation as “concerning and undesirable,” he said Pakistan had not lost hope in the peace process.
Asserting that the latest round of hostilities cannot be characterized as a failure of Islamabad’s diplomatic efforts, he said the country was engaging in the peace process with complete sincerity to help resolve the conflict. He hoped the two sides would eventually return to the negotiating table once the current escalation subsided.
The spokesperson said the peace framework outlined in the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding remained in place and there was no question of declaring it dead or ineffective. He emphasized that it was not unusual for both sides to issue strong statements during periods of heightened tensions, adding Islamabad remained hopeful about the eventual resumption of negotiations.
Referring to Chief of Defense Forces (CDF) and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir’s visit to Tehran last week, he said it had focused on reducing regional tensions and resolving the conflict through negotiations, while creating fresh momentum in the diplomatic process.
Indus Waters Treaty
On the Indus Waters Treaty, Andrabi noted the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague had reaffirmed that it remained fully enforced and binding, rejecting India’s unilateral attempt to place it in so-called abeyance.
He said the unanimous award of the Court of Arbitration constituted an important reaffirmation of the sanctity of the IWT and the rule of international law. The court had confirmed that India’s purported decision to place the treaty in abeyance did not relieve it of its obligations under the agreement, while the treaty’s dispute-settlement mechanism remained operative, he said.
According to Andrabi, an interim measure concerning the Ratle Hydro-Electric Power project further affirmed that rights and obligations under the treaty cannot be altered or displaced through unilateral action. “Pakistan welcomes these clear and authoritative pronouncements,” he said, adding they validated Islamabad’s consistent position that differences concerning the IWT must be addressed strictly within the framework of the treaty and in accordance with international law.
Makkah Joint Defense Agreement
On the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement, the spokesperson said its Strategic Political and Defense Committee held its inaugural meeting in Istanbul on Aug. 31. He noted Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye agreed to institutionalize cooperation under the agreement, strengthen collective defense and enhance joint security, he said.
The three countries also reaffirmed their commitment to regional peace and stability through the resolution of crises and reduction of tensions. A secretariat for the agreement would be established in Saudi Arabia, while its secretary-general would initially be appointed from Pakistan for a three-year term, he added.
The three sides would further expand cooperation in defense industries, joint technology development and enhancing the capabilities of their armed forces.
On Pakistan’s assumption of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)’s chairmanship, Andrabi said its theme was to turn vision into action through connectivity, innovation and shared prosperity. He said Pakistan would work with member states to promote regional peace and stability, economic cooperation and connectivity. The country had assumed the SCO chairmanship for one year and would host the organization’s summit next year, he added.
Kyrgyzstan visit
Discussing Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Kyrgyzstan, the spokesperson said the premier was in Bishkek and had met Kyrgyz President Sadyr Nurgozhoevich Japarov. He said Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan had signed agreements and memoranda of understanding covering trade, the economy, investment and various other areas. The two leaders also addressed a joint press conference, discussing different aspects of bilateral relations, he added.
Prior to the bilateral talks, the prime minister attended the SCO Council of Heads of State meeting and the SCO Plus summit, while holding meetings with counterparts and other world leaders, the spokesperson said. Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar also held meetings with the SCO secretary-general and the U.N. secretary-general, he added.
Yasin Malik’s Sentencing
On Kashmiri leader Yasin Malik, Andrabi said Pakistan completely rejected the case and sentence against him. He said the proceedings against Malik were contrary to the fundamental requirements of justice and that the trial and sentence were politically motivated.
Pakistan would continue raising Malik’s case at international and multilateral forums, he said, while urging the international community to take notice of the matter. The spokesperson said Pakistan prayed for Malik’s health and long life.
Paying tribute to veteran Kashmiri leader Syed Ali Geelani, Andrabi said he also remained in Pakistan’s prayers.
NDU visit
Regarding the Afghan ambassador’s interaction at the National Defense University (NDU), Andrabi said it was merely an academic activity. Visits by Afghan ambassadors to educational institutions were routine and should not be given undue significance in the context of Pakistan-Afghanistan relations, he added.
The spokesperson said the Chinese special representative for Afghanistan remained in Pakistan from Aug. 31 to Sept. 1 and held discussions with Pakistan’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Mohammad Sadiq.
Pakistan appreciated China’s constructive and sustained diplomatic efforts on the Afghanistan issue, he said, adding that Islamabad had always remained positively engaged for constructive dialogue on the matter. The spokesperson said Islamabad’s position on Afghanistan had not changed, stressing that Afghan territory must not be used for terrorism against Pakistan.
He said the Taliban government would have to take concrete and verifiable measures to eliminate terrorism emanating from Afghanistan against Pakistan. Action against the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and other terrorist organizations was necessary on Afghanistan’s part, he stressed.
He said Pakistan’s decision regarding talks and engagement with Afghanistan remained conditional on the Taliban government guaranteeing that Afghan soil would not be used for terrorism against Pakistan. On the possibility of a second phase of talks, Andrabi said there was currently no information available.