Pakistan 'hopeful' despite US-Iran escalation, will continue to strive for dialogue and diplomacy: FO

Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said on Wednesday that Pakistan remained “hopeful” despite recent escalations between the US and Iran and would continue to strive for dialogue and diplomacy.

Pakistan has been spearheading efforts for an end to the ongoing war that began with US-Israeli attacks on Iran in February.

Besides signing the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding as the mediator in June, Islamabad had also brokered a ceasefire between the US and Iran in April. The April ceasefire put an end to the most intense fighting, but sporadic attacks, mainly around the Strait of Hormuz, have dimmed the prospects of a final peace agreement.

Recapping Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts in this connection over the week, the FO spokesperson recalled that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of an SCO summit earlier this week and discussed the evolving regional situation.

“The prime minister had reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to peace through restraint, dialogue and diplomacy, while stressing that the Islamabad MoU offered the most viable pathway to lasting peace and stability in the region,” he said.

He said Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also interacted with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on the sidelines of the SCO summit, while Pakistan and Iran’s leadership had earlier discussed the Middle East and Gulf situation in Istanbul on the sidelines of the Makkah defence pact meeting.

Andrabi added that Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Asim Munir had also visited Tehran last week as part of Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to facilitate an end to the US-Iran conflict, particularly reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a vital passageway for the world’s fuel supply.

CDF’s visit was “focused on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, promoting regional de-escalation and exploring a negotiated settlement, he said.

Pakistan welcomes Hague court ruling on IWT

Recalling the Sept 1 ruling, the FO spokesperson said the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague had reaffirmed that the Indus Waters Treaty remained fully enforced and binding, rejecting India’s unilateral attempt to place the treaty in a so-called “abeyance”.

“The unanimous award of the Court of Arbitration constitutes an important reaffirmation of the sanctity of the IWT and the rule of international law,” he said.

The court had confirmed that India’s purported decision to place the treaty in abeyance did not relieve it of its obligations under the treaty, while its dispute settlement mechanism remained operative, he said.

The interim measure concerning the Ratle hydroelectric power project further affirmed that rights and obligations under the treaty could not be altered or displaced through unilateral action, he added.

“Pakistan welcomes this clear and authoritative announcement, which validates our consistent position that differences concerning the Indus Waters Treaty must be strictly addressed within the framework of the treaty and in accordance with international law,” he said.

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