Pakistan’s Foreign Office said on Thursday that it will continue pushing the United States and Iran to halt hostilities and return to the negotiating table under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), an agreement Islamabad helped broker last month.
Speaking at a weekly press briefing, FO spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi said that although the MoU’s implementation is running into obstacles, Pakistan remains committed to encouraging both sides to end the violence and resume technical-level discussions in line with the agreement.
Concerns Over Escalating Iran-US Tensions
Andrabi voiced serious concern over the renewed confrontation between Iran and the United States, noting that Islamabad is closely tracking developments in the region. He stressed that dialogue, not military escalation, remains the most effective route to resolving the dispute.
Pushing back against suggestions that Pakistan has scaled back its diplomatic involvement, the spokesperson confirmed that Islamabad’s mediation efforts are still active. He also expressed hope for a swift return to normalcy in the Strait of Hormuz and underlined the need to protect the safety and freedom of maritime shipping through the waterway.
Background on the Islamabad MoU
The Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding was signed by the US and Iran on June 17, with Pakistan playing a central mediating role. Despite that preliminary deal, fighting has since resumed, with US strikes on Iranian targets triggering retaliatory attacks on American interests in the Gulf. The clashes, now in their sixth day, center on control of the Hormuz shipping corridor — a route Iran claims authority over.
The renewed conflict has driven global oil prices sharply higher, stirring inflation worries even in countries far removed from the fighting.
Andrabi noted that Pakistan recognizes the urgency of addressing the fallout on global energy supplies, trade, and food security, adding that continued conflict serves no party’s interests. He expressed hope that all sides would stay committed to resolving their differences peacefully.
Pakistan Continues Humanitarian Support for Afghanistan
On a separate matter, Andrabi confirmed that Pakistan continues backing international efforts to ease Afghanistan’s humanitarian crisis, facilitating aid deliveries by the United Nations and partner organizations.
He said roughly 45 trucks carrying humanitarian supplies for Afghanistan have already crossed through Pakistan, reaffirming that Islamabad’s position on maintaining a humanitarian corridor remains unchanged.
However, the spokesperson noted that bilateral ties with Kabul have yet to see improvement, stressing that meaningful progress depends on the Afghan government cutting support for terrorism directed at Pakistan. He added that Kabul must offer firm assurances that Afghan territory will not be used to stage attacks against Pakistan, saying normal relations cannot resume until these security concerns are resolved.
India Accused of Backing Terrorism in Balochistan
Andrabi also condemned recent terrorist attacks in Balochistan that killed civilians, accusing India of openly supporting terrorism in the province. He said New Delhi’s statements and actions reflect a consistent pattern of backing such activity.
He pointed to celebratory reactions in Indian media following the killing of Pakistani citizens as evidence of what he called India’s double standards, adding that India’s own response to Balochistan attacks reveals its true stance on the issue.
The spokesperson reiterated that Pakistan condemns terrorism in the strongest terms, stating that attacks on civilians can never be justified under any circumstances.