He says negotiations and diplomacy are the only way forward and Pakistan wants all sides to prioritize talks.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar addresses a press conference in Islamabad on Friday to review Pakistan’s diplomatic performance in 2025.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on Monday that Pakistan was closely monitoring the regional situation following the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and was working to reduce tensions through diplomatic efforts.
Briefing ambassadors of various countries, Foreign Minister 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 Pakistan wanted all parties to prioritize talks.
“Pakistan regrets the attacks on the Gulf countries; however, Iran’s attacks 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 for residents of the enclave.
“Pakistan has played an effective role in establishing peace in the Middle East, especially in Gaza,” he said.
He said Pakistan participated in the inaugural meeting of the Gaza Peace Board and would continue to support diplomatic initiatives aimed at regional stability.
Dar acknowledged that Pakistan was going through a difficult diplomatic phase, adding that the government was in touch with neighboring and Gulf states.
He added that he had tried to make friendly countries confident about developments in Afghanistan and broader regional security concerns.
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More to follow.
