Pakistan is maintaining sustained diplomatic engagement with both Washington and Tehran to support de-escalation and ceasefire efforts, Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said on Thursday.
Addressing a weekly briefing in Islamabad, Andrabi said negotiations between the parties concerned were ongoing, adding that Pakistan remained engaged with relevant stakeholders. He described mediation efforts as constructive, noting that recent ceasefire understandings had helped prevent further escalation and civilian casualties.
Referring to the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, he termed it a vital corridor for global trade and oil shipments, and called for the swift restoration of normal maritime activity in the region.
He further said that keeping the Strait of Hormuz open was essential for energy supplies, trade, and the flow of goods, expressing hope that negotiations would succeed and the route would be restored.
Two months into the war that started with US-Israeli strikes on Iran, the vital sea channel remains closed, choking off 20% of the world's supplies of oil and gas. That has sent global energy prices surging and heightened concerns about the risks of an economic downturn.
Addressing the presser today, the spokesperson further said the efforts, led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, and senior military leadership, reflect Pakistan’s commitment to dialogue-driven conflict resolution.
He also detailed a series of high-level engagements, including multiple telephonic contacts between PM Shehbaz and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, consultations with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, meetings with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and participation in the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, where the prime minister met Turkish President Erdogan.
The spokesperson said these engagements reinforced Pakistan’s role in facilitating recent US-Iran ceasefire understandings and advancing regional peace efforts, which have been widely acknowledged by international partners.
In response to questions on overseas Pakistanis, the spokesperson provided updates on detainees in Southeast Asia and Africa.
The FO spokesperson said that Pakistani authorities are actively engaged in efforts to secure the release of crew members aboard a hijacked vessel off the Somali coast, with assurances from regional authorities that the situation is being closely monitored.
He confirmed that more than 80 Pakistanis detained in Cambodia are receiving consular access and would be repatriated after completion of legal formalities, while cautioning citizens against fraudulent overseas job offers.
Providing an additional update, Andrabi said 27 Pakistani nationals detained in Kampala, Uganda, were scheduled to return to Pakistan on Thursday, while around 30 others were in the process of arranging their travel.
He added that the remaining individuals, who were on visit visas, would also depart in due course.
The spokesperson noted that Ugandan immigration authorities had imposed financial penalties, but Pakistan’s mission was actively engaging with local authorities to seek a waiver.
Foreign Office spokesperson also condemned the unprovoked firing and shelling by Afghan forces on April 26 and 29 in the border areas of South Waziristan, including Angoor Adda, which injured civilians, including women and children, and damaged homes.
He expressed solidarity with affected families and said measures were underway to ensure safety and prevent further incidents.
Andrabi also dismissed recent allegations by Kabul as propaganda, reiterating Pakistan’s demand that Afghan territory must not be used for attacks against Pakistan.
— With additional input from APP
