Says negotiations, diplomacy the only way forward and that Pakistan wants all parties to prioritize negotiations
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar holds a press briefing in Islamabad on Friday to review Pakistan’s diplomatic achievements in 2025. SCREENGRAB
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said Monday that Pakistan is closely monitoring the regional situation following the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and is working to reduce tensions through diplomatic efforts.
Briefing ambassadors from several countries, FM Dar said Pakistan was engaging regional partners amid what he described as a “fragile and sensitive situation”.
He said Pakistan was closely monitoring developments in Iran and all efforts were focused on easing tensions, calling the situation “extremely delicate”.
Dar said negotiations and diplomacy were the only way forward and that Pakistan wanted all parties to give priority to negotiations.
“Pakistan regrets the attacks on the Gulf countries, but the attacks by Iran were carried out in self-defense,” he said.
He also confirmed that a Pakistani national was killed in an attack in the United Arab Emirates.
Turning to the Middle East, Dar said Pakistan had played an effective role in efforts to promote peace, particularly in Gaza, and called for humanitarian assistance to the enclave’s residents.
“Pakistan has played an effective role in establishing peace in the Middle East, especially in Gaza,” he said.
He said Pakistan participated in the founding meeting of the Gaza Peace Council and would continue to support diplomatic initiatives aimed at regional stability.
Acknowledging that Pakistan was going through a difficult diplomatic phase, Dar added that the government was in touch with neighboring countries and the Gulf states.
He added that he had tried to take friendly countries into confidence regarding developments in Afghanistan and wider regional security concerns.
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More to follow.
