PM Shehbaz greets Malaysian and Azerbaijani leaders on Eid, calls for de-escalation of Gulf tensions

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday called for reducing tensions in the Gulf and Middle East while discussing the current conflict with the leaders of Malaysia, Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan.

The United States and Israel carried out coordinated attacks against Iran last month, prompting counterattacks across the Gulf region, including Iranian missile and drone strikes, against energy infrastructure and military sites in Gulf Cooperation Council states. Regional foreign ministers, including Pakistan’s, have called for restraint and compliance with international law to avoid 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 while monitoring possible disruptions to energy imports through the Strait of Hormuz. Analysts say a prolonged crisis could hit Pakistan’s import-dependent economy and raise internal 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, Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev and Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, extending greetings to Eidul Fitr and discussing regional developments.

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

He said the two leaders also expressed satisfaction at the positive momentum in bilateral relations and reaffirmed their shared determination to further strengthen relations.

Prime Minister Shehbaz separately said he discussed the evolving situation in Iran and the Gulf region with his Malaysian counterpart, and agreed on the urgent need to reduce tensions and continue joint efforts to promote peace through dialogue and diplomacy.

Read; Iran Revolutionary Guard Spokesman 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 the attacks on Azerbaijan and expressed full solidarity with its people while discussing the situation in the Gulf and in Iran.

“Both leaders called for an immediate reduction in tensions and urged dialogue and diplomacy to resolve all outstanding issues.

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

“We agreed on the urgent need to reduce tensions and resolve 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 and emphasized the need for immediate de-escalation and the use of dialogue and diplomacy for the resolution of all disputes.

Furthermore, “The two leaders expressed satisfaction over the highly successful outcomes of the Uzbek President’s visit to Pakistan last month. The Prime Minister stated that regular follow-up of key decisions taken by both leaders would ensure further strengthening of bilateral relations.”

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