ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday said it is intensifying diplomatic efforts to preserve the US-Iran ceasefire and prevent a wider conflict in the Middle East, while reaffirming its support for dialogue, regional stability and the implementation of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
Speaking at the weekly press briefing, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said Pakistan remains engaged with regional and international partners to encourage de-escalation as tensions persist despite the ceasefire.
“Pakistan is continuing its diplomatic outreach in support of dialogue and diplomacy.” Andrabi said and added that Pakistan continues to view dialogue and diplomacy as the only viable path to lasting peace and has maintained close engagement with countries across the region to prevent renewed hostilities.
Pakistan Intensifies Regional Diplomacy
The spokesperson highlighted a series of high-level diplomatic engagements aimed at sustaining regional stability.
🔴LIVE: Spokesperson’s Weekly Press Briefing 23-07-2026 at Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Islamabad https://t.co/g09Sp7F3ve
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) July 23, 2026
Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni visited Pakistan this week and held meetings with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and senior Pakistani officials, including the Chief of Army Staff. The visit, the Foreign Office said, reflected close coordination between the two neighbouring countries on regional developments.
Last week, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also spoke with Kuwait’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah Al-Sabah, with both sides stressing de-escalation, respect for sovereignty and the implementation of the Islamabad MoU.
During the ASEAN Regional Forum Ministerial Meeting in Manila, Dar held separate talks with Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and Oman’s Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi.
According to the Foreign Office, the meetings focused on preserving the ceasefire, reducing regional tensions and promoting dialogue, while also discussing the implications of instability for maritime trade, energy security and the global economy.
Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 met with Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, Foreign Minister of the Sultanate of Oman, on the sidelines of the ASEAN Regional Forum #ARF2026 in Manila.
The two leaders expressed satisfaction with the… pic.twitter.com/X42Ucbav5g
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) July 23, 2026
The Omani foreign minister appreciated Pakistan’s constructive role in promoting dialogue, de-escalation and regional peace, the spokesperson said.
Concern Over Red Sea Security
The spokesperson also reiterated Pakistan’s condemnation of Houthi threats against Saudi Arabia and commercial shipping in the Red Sea.
He said attacks on commercial vessels threaten regional security, freedom of navigation and global trade, while reaffirming Pakistan’s support for Saudi Arabia’s security, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
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Press Release https://t.co/b4r1MQntcd
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— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) July 22, 2026
Pakistan maintains that any hostile act against Pakistani-flagged vessels or the country’s maritime interests would constitute a grave threat to national security and said it reserves the right to take necessary measures in self-defence in accordance with international law.
The spokesperson also expressed concern over attempts to draw Saudi Arabia into the wider regional conflict and urged all parties to exercise restraint.
Active Diplomatic Engagement
The Foreign Office said Pakistan’s diplomatic outreach remains active on multiple fronts.
Following his participation in the ASEAN Regional Forum in Manila, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar travelled to Kyrgyzstan to lead Pakistan’s delegation at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Council of Foreign Ministers meeting, where he is also expected to hold several bilateral meetings.
On the sidelines of the ASEAN meeting, Dar met Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to review bilateral cooperation in trade, energy, connectivity and multilateral coordination. He also held talks with Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman and visited the Asian Development Bank headquarters in Manila.
Earlier this month, Dar attended the launch of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO) in Shanghai, where he also held talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on CPEC, regional connectivity, SCO cooperation and the Pakistan-China All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership.
Pakistan Expands International Partnerships
The spokesperson also highlighted Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand’s visit to Islamabad earlier this week, describing it as the first by a Canadian foreign minister in nearly two decades.
During the visit, Pakistan and Canada discussed bilateral relations, trade, investment, regional developments, climate cooperation and people-to-people ties.
The two countries also signed a protocol on phytosanitary import requirements for genetically modified canola intended for food, feed and processing, aimed at facilitating agricultural trade.
