Pakistan remains firmly committed to promoting peace and dialogue even after the recent exchange of strikes between the US and Iran. Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi made this clear during the weekly briefing in Islamabad on Wednesday. He stated that despite the latest escalation, which ended a month of relative calm since July, Pakistan has not lost hope and will keep working for diplomacy.
Andrabi explained that armed conflicts often pass through stages of tension, calm, and eventual return to talks. He called the current situation concerning but stressed that Pakistan’s sincere efforts continue. The Islamabad MoU, signed on June 18 as a 14-point framework, still offers a practical path for both sides to restart political and technical negotiations. The spokesperson confirmed the MoU remains fully valid and ready for use whenever the parties show willingness.
He also highlighted Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir’s recent visit to Tehran as an important step that created fresh momentum. Follow-up visits by leaders from Oman and Qatar further showed growing regional support for peaceful resolution. Pakistan will keep facilitating communication and encouraging de-escalation.
On the Indus Waters Treaty, Andrabi welcomed the Permanent Court of Arbitration’s clear ruling from The Hague. The court reaffirmed that the treaty stays fully in force and binding. India’s earlier decision to place it in abeyance does not free it from obligations. A neutral expert will examine related hydroelectric projects by July 2027. Pakistan sees this unanimous award as strong validation of international law and treaty-based dispute settlement.
The spokesperson also shared updates on the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement. Its first Strategic Political and Defence Committee meeting took place in Istanbul, where Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkiye agreed to strengthen collective defence and expand cooperation in defence industries. A secretariat will be set up in Saudi Arabia, with the initial secretary-general from Pakistan.
Pakistan has assumed the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation chairmanship for one year under the theme of turning vision into action through connectivity and shared prosperity. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held productive talks in Kyrgyzstan, signing several agreements on trade and investment.
Andrabi rejected the case and sentence against Kashmiri leader Yasin Malik as politically motivated and contrary to justice. Pakistan will continue raising the matter internationally. On Afghanistan, he clarified that the Afghan envoy’s NDU interaction was purely academic and repeated that Afghan soil must not be used for terrorism against Pakistan.
Overall, Pakistan continues its balanced and constructive diplomatic role across multiple fronts.
