Resolving Strait of Hormuz issue, crucial to ending wider regional crisis: FO Spox

ISLAMABAD, Aug 6 (APP): Pakistan on Thursday said that resolving the standoff in the Strait of Hormuz was key to easing the wider conflict in the Gulf and Middle East particularly between Iran and the United States, reaffirming its support for all sincere diplomatic efforts aimed at achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting settlement of the regional crisis.

Briefing the media at the weekly press briefing, Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said Pakistan remained actively engaged with brotherly countries to promote de-escalation and dialogue, adding that progress on the Strait of Hormuz would create a conducive environment for resolving broader regional tensions, including facilitating renewed engagement between Iran and the United States.

He said Pakistan would continue to actively pursue diplomatic engagement and support all sincere initiatives to resolve the crisis, emphasizing that diplomacy remained the only viable path towards sustainable peace and stability in the region.

“As a littoral state overlooking the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf, Oman has consistently played a constructive role in promoting regional peace and stability. Pakistan acknowledges and deeply appreciates Oman’s valuable contributions and its steadfast efforts to foster de-escalation and peaceful coexistence,” the spokesperson said.

Responding to a question, Andrabi said the continuing standoff in the Strait of Hormuz had complicated efforts to achieve a sustainable settlement of the wider crisis in the Middle East and the Gulf involving Iran and the United States.

He said any meaningful progress on the Strait of Hormuz would naturally create a conducive atmosphere for the parties to return to the framework of dialogue envisaged under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding and the Pakistan-Qatar Joint Statement.

“We hope that an agreement on the Strait of Hormuz will pave the way for continued dialogue, particularly the resumption of technical talks between Iran and the United States,” he remarked.

The spokesperson said Pakistan’s diplomatic engagements over the past week reflected its commitment to promoting dialogue and regional stability.

He said Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar held a telephone conversation with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan on July 30, during which the two leaders exchanged views on regional developments, including the situations in the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandeb and Palestine.

On August 3, the deputy prime minister also spoke with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi. The two sides discussed regional and international developments, including the deteriorating situation in Occupied East Jerusalem, while Pakistan also invited the Iranian foreign minister to undertake an official visit to Islamabad.

Tahir Andrabi said Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif was undertaking an official visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from August 6 to 8, accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, the Chief of Army Staff, the Chief of Defence Forces and other federal ministers.

During the visit, the prime minister is scheduled to hold talks with Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud on ways to further strengthen bilateral relations and exchange views on regional and international developments.

Although taking place against the backdrop of heightened tensions in the Gulf, the visit carried significance beyond the immediate crisis, he said, adding that it would further strengthen bilateral relations, deepen strategic cooperation, enhance coordination on regional and international issues of mutual interest and reinforce multilateral cooperation.

The spokesperson also highlighted the deputy prime minister’s participation in the Ministerial Meeting on Jerusalem held in Amman on August 5, where Pakistan reiterated its unwavering support for the Palestinian people and reaffirmed its commitment to the establishment of an independent, sovereign and contiguous State of Palestine based on the pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.

He said the foreign ministers of the R-4 Group — Egypt, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye — also met on the sidelines of the conference and reaffirmed their unwavering support for the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, while stressing the importance of continued consultation and diplomacy to promote regional peace, security, stability and de-escalation.

Replying to another question regarding attacks on commercial vessels transiting through Bab al-Mandeb, Andrabi said Pakistan had consistently condemned attacks on maritime shipping irrespective of the nationality of the vessels.

“We have condemned attacks on vessels in Bab al-Mandeb, whether they are Saudi or from any other country. Pakistan-Saudi Arabia cooperation will continue,” he said.

Responding to a question on Afghanistan, the spokesperson said Pakistan had repeatedly conveyed to the Afghan authorities its serious concerns regarding the use of Afghan soil by terrorist groups to launch attacks inside Pakistan.

He said Pakistan had consistently urged the Afghan government to ensure that its territory was not used for terrorism against any other country.

To a query on Jammu and Kashmir, the spokesperson rejected India’s remarks on the ongoing Legislative Assembly elections in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), describing them as baseless and politically motivated. He said the elections were being held in a peaceful, transparent and orderly manner in accordance with AJK’s constitutional and legal framework, and reiterated Pakistan’s position that Jammu and Kashmir remained an internationally recognized disputed territory whose final disposition should be determined in accordance with the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.

On Bangladesh, the spokesperson said Pakistan’s diplomatic engagement with Dhaka continued through normal diplomatic channels and was not confined to any single event. He said Pakistan did not interfere in the internal affairs of other countries and, therefore, had no comment on recent developments in Bangladesh. Referring to a statement issued by India, he said it was a matter between New Delhi and Dhaka, adding that the people of Bangladesh were fully capable of resolving their issues independently without external interference. He said Pakistan respected Bangladesh’s sovereign choices and would continue to cooperate with it for mutual progress and prosperity.