Declares that there is no alternative to continued engagement, dialogue and diplomacy to achieve the common goal of peace
Pakistan on Wednesday called on both sides to exercise restraint after a new round of hostilities between the United States and Iran threatened to undo weeks of efforts to achieve peace through the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
The interim ceasefire agreement signed between Washington and Tehran – mediated by Pakistan – was intended to provide a 60-day window for negotiations on a permanent deal, but indirect talks in Qatar ended last week with no sign of progress and the US military unleashed a new wave of strikes against Iran on Tuesday.
Iran later said it had targeted US military sites in Bahrain and Kuwait and had shot down a US MQ-9 drone that attempted to interfere in the operation. Bahrain’s military later said it had foiled the Iranian attacks. Trump has since threatened to launch a new wave of attacks this evening.
In a response issued today on the situation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (FO) said: “Pakistan expresses its deep concern over the escalation of tensions in the region. A resumption of conflict is in no one’s interest. Pakistan calls on all parties to exercise restraint and refrain from any actions that could further undermine regional peace and stability. There is no alternative to continued engagement, dialogue and diplomacy to achieve the common goal of peace in the region.
FO Pakistan urged all parties to uphold their respective commitments under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, which it said remains an “enduring foundation for understanding, mutual respect and shared prosperity for the region and beyond”.
He added that Pakistan remained ready to continue playing its role in this regard.
