ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, during a telephone conversation on Tuesday, called for maximum restraint to prevent further escalation of the Middle East conflict.
PM Sharif and President Erdogan discussed the prevailing regional situation amid regional escalation after the US and Israel launched a joint attack on Iran on Saturday.
During the conversation, the two leaders underscored the importance of maximum restraint by all parties to prevent further escalation.
Expressing his deep concern over the escalating crisis in the Middle East, PM Sharif condemned the Israeli attack on Iran and subsequent regrettable attacks on other brotherly Gulf countries, according to a statement.
The prime minister apprised President Erdogan of his recent outreach to the leadership of the brotherly Gulf countries, reaffirming Pakistan’s full solidarity with them, and conveying Islamabad’s readiness to play a constructive role in efforts aimed at resolving the crisis.
Prime Minister Sharif also took President Erdogan into confidence on the recent developments in the context of Afghanistan.
The two leaders agreed to remain in close and frequent contact in this regard while continuing their efforts to bring peace and stability in the region.
Had a telephone conversation this evening with my very dear brother President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of the Republic of Turkiye, to discuss the escalating situation in the Middle East.
I strongly condemned the Israeli attack on Iran and the subsequent regrettable attacks on…
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) March 3, 2026
Pakistan’s diplomatic outreach
Earlier today, while speaking in the Parliament, Dar said Pakistan is playing a critical diplomatic role to de-escalate the conflict.
“I held a meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and disclosed that Iran had agreed not to build nuclear weapons, but the US wanted Iran’s entire nuclear programme to be completely dismantled,” Ishaq Dar said while briefing the Senate.
Dar said Pakistan had launched extensive diplomatic efforts to help defuse tensions.
He added that Islamabad had also pursued back-channel engagement aimed at promoting dialogue, and that Iran’s leadership was fully aware of these initiatives.
He said the conflict had widened to include strikes in Gulf states and Iranian attacks on US bases, with airports reportedly hit in some areas.
Tensions across the Gulf surged on Saturday after coordinated strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran, which also killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
In response, Iran launched attacks on American military installations in several Gulf countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and Jordan, drawing swift condemnation from their governments.
Saudi Arabia also reported strikes in Riyadh and the Eastern Province, stating that its air defences successfully intercepted the incoming attacks.
