Islamabad: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said that Pakistan wants all sides involved in the ongoing regional conflict to prioritise negotiations and diplomacy amid rapidly escalating tensions in the Middle East.
The conflict has widened with no clear end in sight, as Israel launched attacks on Iran, while Tehran responded by firing missiles and drones targeting what it described as “US interests and bases” across Gulf states.
Speaking to members of the diplomatic corps based in Islamabad, Dar acknowledged the challenging diplomatic environment and said Pakistan was actively engaged in efforts to reduce tensions.
“We are passing through difficult times in terms of diplomacy. All our efforts are focused on reducing tensions and bringing the parties back to the negotiations,” he stated.Dar emphasised that dialogue and diplomacy remain the only viable path forward, adding that Pakistan is closely monitoring the evolving situation in Iran.
“Pakistan supports efforts for the peaceful settlement of disputes through diplomacy,” he said.
Referring to the regional fallout from the hostilities, Dar confirmed that one Pakistani citizen was killed in an attack on the United Arab Emirates. He reiterated that Pakistan seeks friendly and constructive relations with all neighbouring countries.
On the issue of Palestine, Dar said Pakistan has played a role in efforts to address the crisis in Gaza. He noted that a group of Arab and Islamic countries had engaged in meaningful discussions with US President Donald Trump aimed at restoring peace in Gaza and ensuring the continued supply of humanitarian assistance.
Turning to regional diplomacy, Dar recalled his recent visits to Afghanistan, where he held extensive discussions with the Taliban leadership on trade and economic cooperation.
He stressed that Pakistan’s primary demand from Afghanistan is that its territory should not be used for terrorist activities.
“We have solid evidence that the soil of Afghanistan was used for terrorism,” Dar said, underlining Pakistan’s security concerns while reiterating Islamabad’s commitment to peaceful and cooperative regional engagement.