Spox highlights diplomatic efforts with the United States, Iran and their regional allies in efforts to ease tensions in the Middle East
Tahir Andrabi speaking at the weekly Foreign Office press briefing File photo: X/FO
Pakistan on Thursday condemned “unprovoked firing and shelling” by Afghan forces along the border, saying civilians have been targeted in recent cross-border incidents, while reaffirming its diplomatic efforts to ease tensions between the United States and Iran, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said at a weekly press briefing.
He said Afghan forces opened fire on April 26 and 29 in the border areas of South Waziristan, including Angoor Adda. “Afghan forces carried out unprovoked shooting and shelling, targeting the civilian population,” he said, adding that women and children – notably aged three, eight and 10 – were among the injured.
He said several houses had also been damaged, stressing that local notables had condemned the attacks and demanded an immediate end. “We echo these concerns and express our strongest condemnation,” he said, adding that Pakistan stood in solidarity with the affected families and was taking “all possible measures” to prevent further incidents.
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Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have sharply escalated in recent months amid mutual accusations of cross-border militancy. Islamabad says militants linked to Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan are operating from Afghan territory, while Kabul denies the allegations and accuses Pakistan of violating its sovereignty through alleged strikes.
Recent allegations of civilian casualties in Afghanistan’s Kunar province have further escalated tensions, with Pakistan dismissing the reports as “false” and accusing Afghan authorities of disinformation.
The situation has strained already fragile relations since the Afghan Taliban returned to power in 2021, despite intermittent mediation efforts and calls for dialogue.
Separately, Andrabi said Pakistan maintains “sustained engagement” with Washington and Tehran to support de-escalation and ceasefire efforts. He said Pakistan’s approach reflects its commitment to “constructive diplomatic engagement” aimed at promoting regional stability.
“Pakistan remains committed to regional stability and international peace, reflecting our preference for principled and dialogue-oriented diplomacy,” he said.
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He added that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir had remained in touch with key stakeholders, maintaining “open channels of communication” with both sides.
The spokesperson said Prime Minister Shehbaz held several telephone conversations with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, including a 45-minute call on April 19, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to regional peace.
During recent visits to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey, regional leaders, including Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, appreciated Pakistan’s diplomatic role, he noted.
Andrabi further said that an Iranian delegation led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had also recently visited Islamabad for talks on regional stability. Pakistan is quietly facilitating a behind-the-scenes engagement between the United States and Iran aimed at easing tensions over the Strait of Hormuz and Tehran’s nuclear program, according to diplomatic sources.
Iran has proposed prioritizing the reopening of the strait while delaying nuclear negotiations, while Washington prefers a comprehensive agreement addressing both issues simultaneously. Despite strong public positions, sources suggest the ceasefire between Washington and Tehran is likely to hold for now, with ongoing diplomatic efforts reducing the risk of immediate escalation.
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The spokesperson further informed that Prime Minister Shehbaz held discussions with European Council President Antonio Costa and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, both of whom appreciated Pakistan’s action.
Separately, an EU trade delegation visited Pakistan, with over 600 B2B meetings held, he said, highlighting investment opportunities in energy, IT and communications, he noted.
At the multilateral level, the “R4” group – made up of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt – met on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomatic Forum, reaffirming its commitment to regional cooperation, he added.
Regarding the Israeli-Palestinian situation, Andrabi said Pakistan joined joint statements condemning Israeli actions, including violations of Al-Aqsa Mosque and concerns over the status of Jerusalem’s holy sites.
He also noted that President Asif Ali Zardari was currently on an official visit to China to mark 75 years of diplomatic ties.
During the visit, three MoUs were signed in the areas of desalination, agriculture and tea sector, including a seawater desalination project in Karachi, agricultural technology transfer in Sindh and a partnership in the tea industry between Pakistani and Chinese companies.
Zardari also awarded the Sitara-i-Pakistan to Professor Pan Xiangbin in recognition of his contributions to cardiac care, describing it as a reflection of the “tangible benefits” of Pakistan-China cooperation in health and development, he said.
