PM Shehbaz sends Eid greetings to Malaysian, Azerbaijani leaders, calls for Gulf de-escalation

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday called for de-escalation in the Gulf and the Middle East as he discussed the current conflict with the leaders of Malaysia, Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan.

The United States and Israel launched coordinated attacks on Iran last month, prompting counterattacks across the Gulf region, including Iranian missile and drone strikes, on energy infrastructure and military sites in the Gulf Cooperation Council states. Regional foreign ministers, including Pakistan’s, have called for restraint and adherence to international law to prevent further destabilization of the Gulf, a key corridor for global oil and LNG supplies.

The situation poses economic and security challenges for Pakistan. The government has called for dialogue as it monitors potential disruptions to energy imports through the Strait of Hormuz. Analysts say a protracted crisis could affect Pakistan’s import-dependent economy and raise domestic security concerns. At the same time, Islamabad continues to maintain diplomatic and trade ties with both the Gulf states and Iran.

Statements from the Prime Minister’s Office issued today said the Prime Minister held telephone conversations with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, extending Eidul Fitr greetings and discussing regional developments.

On its conversation with Prime Minister Ibrahim, the PMO said: “While praying for peace and harmony in the ummah, the two leaders called for de-escalation of the ongoing hostilities in Iran and the Gulf region and agreed to continue working together to promote peace efforts in this regard.”

It said the two leaders also expressed satisfaction with the positive momentum in bilateral ties and reaffirmed their joint resolve to further strengthen ties.

Separately, Prime Minister Shehbaz said he discussed the development of the situation in Iran and the Gulf region with his Malaysian counterpart and agreed on the urgent need for de-escalation and continued joint efforts to promote peace through dialogue and diplomacy.

Read; Spokesman for Iran’s Revolutionary Guards was killed in attack, state TV says

In the call with the President of Azerbaijan, the PMO said the Prime Minister reiterated Pakistan’s condemnation of attacks against Azerbaijan and expressed full solidarity with its people while discussing the situation in the Gulf and Iran.

“Both leaders called for an immediate de-escalation and called for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve all outstanding issues.

“While expressing satisfaction over the positive trajectory of Pakistan-Azerbaijan relations, the two leaders reaffirmed their mutual willingness and commitment to further strengthen these brotherly ties between the two brotherly countries,” the PMO said.

“We agreed on the urgent need for de-escalation and resolution of tensions through dialogue and diplomacy,” Prime Minister Shehbaz said of his conversation with President Aliyev.

With the Uzbek president, the PMO said the two leaders exchanged views on the ongoing hostilities in Iran and the Gulf region, stressing the need for immediate de-escalation and use of dialogue and diplomacy to resolve all disputes.

Furthermore, “the two leaders expressed satisfaction with the very successful results of the Uzbek president’s visit to Pakistan last month. The prime minister stated that regular follow-up on the key decisions taken by both leaders would ensure further strengthening of bilateral ties.”

Prime Minister Shehbaz reiterated the same in a separate post on X.