Islamabad: Pakistan on Thursday said it is actively engaged with both the United States and Iran in efforts to end the ongoing war in West Asia and restore peace and stability in the region.
Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said at the weekly briefing that any communication routed through Pakistan’s diplomatic channels is “honestly communicated” to the other side, adding that diplomatic efforts remain active.
“The clock on diplomacy has not stopped but is functional,” he said, noting that Pakistan is in contact with relevant parties and that both new and old proposals are currently under discussion. “We hope peace will prevail,” he added.
Andrabi said Pakistan is hopeful of a negotiated settlement and stressed the need for direct talks between the two sides, expressing optimism for “stable relations between Iran and the US.”
The remarks come after the second round of US-Iran talks did not take place despite Pakistan’s efforts to facilitate dialogue between the parties. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had made two brief visits to Pakistan within 48 hours over the weekend, meeting Field Marshal Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to discuss regional developments. US negotiators were also reportedly prepared to travel to Islamabad for talks, but the meeting did not materialise.
Pakistan had earlier hosted the first round of direct US-Iran talks in Islamabad on April 11, though no agreement was reached to end the conflict.
US President Donald Trump recently said that American and Iranian officials could communicate via phone to work towards a peace settlement, and also extended a ceasefire window to allow Tehran more time to prepare a unified proposal.
According to earlier reports cited by the spokesperson, the conflict began after US and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, which killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and senior commanders, triggering retaliatory action that escalated tensions across the Gulf region.
Pakistan said it continues to make diplomatic efforts to help end the conflict.
Separately, the spokesperson strongly condemned what he described as unprovoked firing and shelling by Afghan forces in border areas of South Waziristan near Bannu district, including Angoor Adda, and said efforts are underway to ensure civilian safety and prevent further incidents.
With PTI inputs