ISLAMABAD, Nov 6 (APP):Pakistan has reiterated its commitment to resolving regional conflicts through dialogue and diplomacy, highlighting its efforts to facilitate engagement between the United States and Iran, while warning against actions that could undermine peace and stability in the Middle East. Addressing the weekly press briefing here, Foreign Office Spokesperson Ambassador Sajjad Haider Khan underscored Pakistan's growing diplomatic engagement with regional and international partners, particularly amid heightened tensions involving …
Pakistan reaffirms diplomatic push for regional peace,warns against escalation in Middle East
ISLAMABAD, Nov 6 (APP):Pakistan has reiterated its commitment to resolving regional conflicts through dialogue and diplomacy, highlighting its efforts to facilitate engagement between the United States and Iran, while warning against actions that could undermine peace and stability in the Middle East.
Addressing the weekly press briefing here, Foreign Office Spokesperson Ambassador Sajjad Haider Khan underscored Pakistan’s growing diplomatic engagement with regional and international partners, particularly amid heightened tensions involving the United States, Israel and Iran, and growing concerns over maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz.
The FO spokesperson said Pakistan had extended all possible facilitation in its capacity as an honest mediator, noting that it had helped bring Washington and Tehran to the negotiating table after nearly 47 years without direct engagement, culminating in the signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
“Peace must be achieved through political dialogue and diplomacy, not war,” he maintained, expressing hope that ongoing mediation efforts would ultimately produce a peaceful resolution.
Responding to questions about the possibility of renewed military strikes against Iran and reported threats involving nuclear weapons, Ambassador Khan described threats to use nuclear weapons against another country as a serious matter but declined to comment on speculation. He stressed that all sides should pursue negotiations and diplomatic engagement rather than contemplate extreme measures.
He also identified Israel’s actions in the region as a major source of instability, describing its policies towards Iran, Palestine, Syria and Lebanon as unwarranted and expansionist. Asked about potential spoilers to the US-Iran peace process, he said Israel was among the countries whose actions could undermine regional peace.
On the multilateral front, the FO spokesperson highlighted Pakistan’s diplomatic success at the UN General Assembly’s First Committee, where three Pakistan-sponsored resolutions on arms control, confidence-building and security assurances for non-nuclear-weapon states were adopted.
The resolution on conventional arms control at regional and subregional levels secured 180 votes in favour, while India and Israel were the only two countries to oppose it.
Ambassador Khan said the overwhelming support reflected international recognition that regional peace and stability required restraint, balanced defence capabilities and dialogue.
He expressed concern over the growing gap between the stated commitments of India and Israel to international arms control and their opposition to regional arms restraint initiatives.
He also warned that the acquisition and transfer of sophisticated conventional weapons systems in South Asia were heightening the risk of crises and military escalation.
Pakistan, he said, would continue advocating non-discriminatory arms control measures that ensured equal and undiminished security for all states.
In another diplomatic achievement, the UN Security Council adopted by consensus a Pakistan-initiated Presidential Statement on November 5, underscoring the importance of diplomacy, mediation and continued communication channels during active hostilities.
Addressing Pakistan’s security concerns, the spokesperson categorically rejected unsubstantiated allegations by the Afghan Taliban regime regarding civilian casualties resulting from Pakistan’s counter-terrorism operations.
He maintained that disinformation would neither obscure the threat posed by terrorist networks operating from Afghan territory nor absolve the Afghan Taliban authorities of their responsibility to prevent their territory from being used for attacks against Pakistan.
Providing figures on the human cost of terrorism, Ambassador Khan said attacks linked to terrorist networks operating from Afghan soil had resulted in more than 3,500 casualties, including over 1,400 martyrs in 2026 alone.
He said Pakistan continued to sensitise international partners about the threat, describing it as a challenge not only for Pakistan but also for Afghanistan’s neighbours and the wider international community.
His remarks followed the Pakistan-UK Counter-terrorism Dialogue held in Islamabad on November 4, during which both sides reviewed bilateral and multilateral cooperation and reaffirmed their commitment to combating terrorism.
During his November 5 meeting with visiting British Minister of State for Security Dan Jarvis, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar also highlighted the threat of terrorism emanating from Afghan soil and called for concerted international efforts to counter it.
On maritime security, the spokesperson confirmed reports concerning the LNG carrier Al Maida, a Marshall Islands-registered vessel operated by QatarEnergy and carrying LNG destined for Karachi.
The vessel was struck by projectiles while transiting the Persian Gulf in international waters last Friday night. It had 25 crew members from different countries, including Pakistanis. Fortunately, no casualties were reported, although the incident caused a small fire onboard, he said.
The vessel subsequently returned safely to Qatar, while Pakistani authorities were coordinating with relevant parties to establish further details, he added.
Ambassador Khan reiterated Pakistan’s support for safe and unimpeded navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and other vital maritime routes, stressing that diplomatic engagement remained essential to preventing further escalation.
He added that at the R4 Ministerial Meeting in Istanbul on October 23, Pakistan, Türkiye, Egypt and Saudi Arabia had also called for the safe and unimpeded resumption of navigation through the strategic waterway.
Clarifying the purpose of the Makkah Alliance for Defence, Ambassador Khan said the three-member arrangement was defensive in nature and was not directed against any particular country, including Iran.
He cited the recent visit by representatives of the alliance to Tehran and their consultations with Iranian officials as evidence of its broader objective of promoting regional peace and stability.
He said the three member countries would mutually decide whether to expand the alliance, adding that its institutional structure was still evolving and required further formalisation.
Turning to Pakistan’s national interests, the spokesperson said Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar chaired a high-level meeting on November 4 to review national water security.
The meeting examined the legal, diplomatic and technical dimensions of the issue, with the Foreign Minister reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to safeguarding its sovereign rights.
He directed closer inter-ministerial coordination to advance national interests, with the participation of the Ministers for Water Resources and Information and Broadcasting, relevant federal secretaries and senior officials.
On religious diplomacy, Ambassador Khan reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to facilitating pilgrims of all faiths, particularly Sikh and Hindu devotees from India.
He disclosed that Pakistan issued 9,318 visas to Indian religious pilgrims in 2025, including 9,070 Sikh and 248 Hindu pilgrims. A further 4,002 visas were issued to Sikh pilgrims during the first half of 2026.Preparations were also underway to welcome devotees for the 557th birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji at Nankana Sahib later this month, he added.
The spokesperson expressed regret over India’s continued suspension of pilgrim movement through the Kartarpur Corridor since May 7, 2025, saying Pakistan remained ready to facilitate visa-free visits under the 2019 bilateral agreement.
He noted that the Corridor was designed to facilitate up to 5,000 pilgrims daily and questioned the rationale behind permitting Sikh pilgrims to enter through Wagah while restricting access to Kartarpur Sahib.
He also said Pakistan would consider issuing a visa to the Chief Minister of Indian Punjab if he wished to visit Pakistan, although travel permission would remain a matter for the Indian government.
The spokesperson further highlighted Pakistan’s efforts to preserve Buddhist heritage sites, including Taxila and Takht-i-Bahi, and promote religious tourism and interfaith engagement.
Highlighting Pakistan’s bilateral diplomatic outreach, Ambassador Khan referred to Singapore Foreign Minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan’s October 30 visit, which coincided with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Both sides discussed cooperation in trade, investment, agriculture, infrastructure, digital technologies, fintech, cybersecurity and climate resilience. An MoU on disaster management was also exchanged.
He also highlighted the visit of Chinese International Department Minister Liu Haixing, which reaffirmed the importance of party-to-party engagement as a pillar of the Pakistan-China All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership.
The spokesperson further referred to Pakistan’s continuing engagement with ASEAN, the European Union, Arab countries and other international partners.
As part of economic diplomacy, the Foreign Office also briefed Islamabad-based diplomats on the forthcoming Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2026, seeking to encourage international participation and investment in the country’s mineral sector.
Responding to a question about Pakistan’s future engagement with the Democratic Party following the US elections, Ambassador Khan said Islamabad maintained good relations with successive American administrations, irrespective of which political party was in power.
He described the United States as an important partner in trade, investment, security, counterterrorism and minerals development, adding that Pakistan would continue strengthening these relations.
On a separate question concerning reports of a possible US plan to deport Afghan nationals through Pakistan, he said the matter was under consideration in consultation with relevant stakeholders and that Islamabad remained committed to its international obligations and established protocols. He expressed hope that a mutually agreeable solution would be reached.
The spokesperson also confirmed that Pakistan had received India’s invitation to participate in the SCO Cultural and Civilizational Dialogue scheduled for November 20-22 in New Delhi. He said the decision would be taken by the Pakistani leadership after institutional deliberations and established protocols.
On Pakistan-Iran border disruptions, he acknowledged that security concerns and clashes had affected the movement of pilgrims but said there was no Pakistani ban on land-border travel for religious pilgrims. He added that the current status of cross-border trade required further clarification.
The ECO Interior Ministers’ Meeting, originally scheduled for October 29-30, had also been postponed because of regional geopolitical and security developments, with new dates yet to be finalised.
Concluding his remarks, Ambassador Khan reiterated that Pakistan’s diplomatic priorities remained centred on regional peace, constructive engagement, stronger bilateral partnerships, multilateral cooperation and respect for international law.
He emphasised that dialogue, mediation and diplomacy offered the most viable path towards resolving outstanding regional disputes and preventing further conflict.
