ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held separate telephone conversations on Thursday with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, voicing serious concern over the escalating conflict in the Middle East and urging restraint and dialogue among all parties.
Prime Minister Sharif, in a call with Malaysian counterpart, underscored the importance of respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states, as enshrined in the UN Charter and international law, and urged all parties to exercise restraint, end hostilities, and resolve disputes through diplomacy and dialogue, a PM House’s media wing said in a statement.
The two leaders agreed that restoring peace and a swift return to normalcy requires maximum restraint from all sides.
They also committed to working together and coordinating their positions regularly on regional developments.
Spoke to my dear brother Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim @anwaribrahim today. We shared deep concern over the escalating situation in the Middle East following Israel’s attacks on Iran and the subsequent strikes on brotherly Gulf countries.
I emphasized the imperative of respecting…
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) March 5, 2026
During the call, Prime Minister Sharif briefed his Malaysian counterpart on recent developments in Afghanistan and highlighted Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to safeguard its territory against terrorism and combat extremism in the region.
Both leaders agreed to maintain close coordination on issues of mutual interest.
Meanwhile, in a telephone call with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep concern over Iran’s strikes on Israel and the subsequent attacks on other Gulf countries.
Had a most productive conversation today with my dear brother President Prabowo Subianto of Indonesia over telephone.
We exchanged views on the deeply concerning situation in the Middle East and agreed on the urgent need for restraint and renewed diplomacy to prevent further…
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) March 5, 2026
He condemned the assaults and briefed President Subianto on Pakistan’s diplomatic engagement with Gulf states amid the ongoing crisis.
The two leaders agreed on the need for all parties to exercise maximum restraint and emphasised that differences should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy.
Regional tensions have surged since the United States and Israel launched large-scale strikes on Iran on Saturday.
Nearly 800 people have been killed in the attacks, including Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several top military officials, according to Iranian authorities.
Tehran has responded with waves of missile and drone attacks targeting Israel as well as Gulf countries hosting US military assets.
