PM Shehbaz extends Eid greetings to Malaysian, Azerbaijani leaders, calls for de-escalation in Gulf

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday called for de-escalation in the Gulf and Middle East as he discussed the ongoing conflict with the leaders of Malaysia, Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan.

The United States and Israel carried out coordinated strikes against Iran last month, provoking counterattacks in the Gulf region, including Iranian missile and drone attacks on energy infrastructure and military sites in Gulf Cooperation Council states. Foreign ministers from the region, including that of Pakistan, have called for restraint and respect for international law to prevent further destabilization of the Gulf, a key corridor for global oil and LNG supplies.

The situation poses economic and security challenges to Pakistan. The government has called for dialogue while monitoring potential disruptions to energy imports through the Strait of Hormuz. Analysts say a prolonged crisis could hit Pakistan’s import-dependent economy and raise internal security concerns. At the same time, Islamabad continues to maintain diplomatic and commercial relations with the Gulf states and Iran.

Statements from the Prime Minister’s Office released today said the Prime Minister held telephone conversations with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, conveying Eidul Fitr greetings and discussing regional developments.

During its conversation with Prime Minister Ibrahim, the Prime Minister’s Office said: “While praying for peace and harmony within the Ummah, the two leaders called for de-escalation of ongoing hostilities in Iran and the Gulf region and agreed to continue working together to advance peace efforts in this regard.”

The two leaders also expressed satisfaction with the positive dynamics of bilateral relations and reaffirmed their common determination to further strengthen their relations.

Prime Minister Shehbaz separately said he discussed the developing situation in Iran and the Gulf region with his Malaysian counterpart and agreed on the urgent need for de-escalation and continued joint efforts to promote peace through dialogue and diplomacy.

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During the call with the Azerbaijani President, the Prime Minister said the Prime Minister reiterated Pakistan’s condemnation of the attacks on Azerbaijan and expressed full solidarity with its people as they discussed the situation in the Gulf and Iran.

“Both leaders called for immediate de-escalation and called for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve all outstanding issues.

“While expressing satisfaction over the positive trajectory of relations between Pakistan and Azerbaijan, the two leaders reaffirmed their mutual determination and commitment to further strengthen these fraternal ties between the two brotherly countries,” the Prime Minister said.

“We agreed on the urgent need for de-escalation and resolution of tensions through dialogue and diplomacy,” Prime Minister Shehbaz said about his conversation with President Aliyev.

Along with the Uzbek President, the Prime Minister’s Office said the two leaders exchanged views on the ongoing hostilities in Iran and the Gulf region and stressed the need for immediate de-escalation and the use of dialogue and diplomacy to resolve all differences.

Furthermore, “both leaders expressed satisfaction over the very positive results of the Uzbek President’s visit to Pakistan last month. The Prime Minister said that regular monitoring of key decisions taken by the two leaders would ensure further strengthening of bilateral relations.”

Prime Minister Shehbaz reiterated the same in a separate article on X.