A combined image of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. PHOTOS: ARCHIVE
ISLAMABAD:
As tensions continue to grip the Middle East following US and Israeli attacks on Iran, Pakistan is attempting a delicate diplomatic balancing act, engaging Tehran at the highest level while reiterating its long-standing strategic commitment to Saudi Arabia.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a telephone conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Wednesday to discuss the evolving regional situation, underscoring Islamabad’s push for diplomacy amid fears of a wider conflict.
At the same time, the Prime Minister’s spokesperson for foreign media said that Pakistan strongly supported Saudi Arabia.
According to an official statement, in a phone call with the Iranian President, the Prime Minister expressed deep concern over the rising tensions and stressed that dialogue and diplomatic engagement remained essential to ensure peace and stability in the region.
“Pakistan views diplomatic efforts and dialogue as essential to ensure peace, stability and reduction of tensions,” Shehbaz said during the call, urging all parties to exercise restraint and responsibility to avoid further deterioration of the situation.
The conversation comes as the region witnesses increased volatility following escalation between Iran and the US-Israel alliance, raising concerns about broader geopolitical repercussions and potential disruptions to global energy supplies.
During the call, the prime minister also highlighted Pakistan’s long-standing ties with Iran, emphasizing that Islamabad attaches great importance to its “historical, religious and cultural relations” with Tehran and seeks to further strengthen bilateral cooperation.
He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to expand engagement with Iran in multiple sectors and maintain high-level contacts between the two countries.
President Pezeshkian, in turn, conveyed Iran’s desire to deepen relations with Pakistan and emphasized the importance of working together to promote regional peace and stability. He also briefed the Pakistani Prime Minister on Iran’s position regarding recent regional developments.
“Tehran has no intention of entering into conflict with countries in the region,” state media quoted the Iranian president as saying.
Both leaders agreed to remain in close contact and continue consultations as the situation evolves, while exploring avenues to expand cooperation between neighboring countries.
The diplomatic outreach follows Shebaz’s letter earlier this week to Iran’s newly appointed Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, in which he congratulated him for assuming the leadership after the assassination of his father, Ali Khamenei.
While maintaining its commitment to Tehran, Islamabad has also reaffirmed its deep strategic ties with Riyadh.
The Prime Minister’s spokesperson for foreign media, Mosharraf Zaidi, said Pakistan would firmly support Saudi Arabia if necessary, emphasizing the depth of the bilateral relationship.
“The question is not whether Pakistan could come to Saudi Arabia’s aid,” Zaidi said in an interview with Bloomberg. “Both countries have long operated on the principle of being there for each other before needing the other.”
“So there’s no doubt we could do it; we will do it. No matter what, no matter when,” he added.
Zaidi, however, emphasized that Pakistan’s immediate focus was on preventing the situation from worsening further and ensuring that key regional partners were not drawn into a broader conflict.
“The real question is what is Pakistan doing to ensure that things do not reach a point where one of its closest partners becomes embroiled further in a conflict,” he said.
He revealed that Pakistan has been maintaining contact with the Saudi and Iranian leaders amid the crisis and highlighted recent diplomatic engagements, including Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir’s visit to Saudi Arabia.
Zaidi also praised the Gulf states for resisting external pressure to become directly involved in the conflict.
“There have been calls from some quarters for the Gulf Cooperation Council countries to become actively involved,” he said, adding that their restraint was something Pakistan supported.
At the same time, he acknowledged the strong economic and strategic partnership between Islamabad and Riyadh, noting that Saudi Arabia has already helped Pakistan stabilize its energy supply chain during the crisis.
According to Zaidi, disruptions to regional shipping routes could delay fuel shipments to Pakistan from the usual five to six days to almost three weeks if alternative routes are used.
Saudi Arabia, he said, has intervened to ensure Pakistan’s access to oil, diesel and crude oil supplies, highlighting the depth of cooperation between the two countries.
He also noted recent government austerity measures aimed at addressing the economic fallout from the regional crisis, including a four-day work week, expanded work-from-home arrangements and a significant reduction in the use of government vehicles.
“Every crisis is an opportunity for change,” Zaidi remarked.
