A combination picture of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. PHOTOS: FILE
ISLAMABAD:
As tensions continue to grip the Middle East following US-Israeli strikes on Iran, Pakistan is attempting a delicate diplomatic balancing act, engaging Tehran at the highest level while reiterating its longstanding strategic commitment to Saudi Arabia.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a telephone conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Wednesday to discuss the evolving regional situation, underscoring Islamabad’s push for diplomacy amid fears of a wider conflict.
At the same time the PM’s spokesperson for foreign media said Pakistan firmly stood with Saudi Arabia.
According to an official statement, the Prime Minister in a telephone call with the Iranian President expressed deep concern over rising tensions and stressed that dialogue and diplomatic engagement remained essential for ensuring peace and stability in the region.
“Pakistan considers diplomatic efforts and dialogue essential for ensuring peace, stability and de-escalation,” Shehbaz said during the call, urging all parties to exercise restraint and responsibility to prevent further deterioration of the situation.
The conversation comes at a time when the region is witnessing heightened volatility after the escalation between Iran and the US-Israel alliance, raising concerns over broader geopolitical repercussions and potential disruptions to global energy supplies.
During the call, the prime minister also highlighted Pakistan’s longstanding ties with Iran, emphasising that Islamabad attaches great importance to its “historic, religious and cultural relations” with Tehran and seeks to further strengthen bilateral cooperation.
He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to expanding engagement with Iran across multiple sectors and maintaining high-level contacts between the two countries.
President Pezeshkian, in turn, conveyed Iran’s desire to deepen relations with Pakistan and emphasised the importance of working together to promote regional peace and stability. He also briefed the Pakistani premier on Iran’s position regarding recent regional developments.
“Tehran has no intention to enter into conflict with countries of the region,” the state media said while quoting Iranian president as saying.
Both leaders agreed to remain in close contact and continue consultations as the situation evolves, while also exploring avenues for expanding cooperation between the neighbouring countries.
The diplomatic outreach follows Shebaz’s letter earlier this week to Iran’s newly appointed Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, in which he congratulated him on assuming leadership after the assassination of his father, Ali Khamenei.
While maintaining engagement with Tehran, Islamabad has also reaffirmed its deep strategic ties with Riyadh.
Prime Minister’s spokesperson for foreign media, Mosharraf Zaidi, said Pakistan would stand firmly with Saudi Arabia if required, emphasising the depth of the bilateral relationship.
“The question is not whether Pakistan might come to Saudi Arabia’s aid,” Zaidi said in an interview with Bloomberg. “Both countries have long operated on the principle of being there for the other before they need the other.”
“So there is no question that we might; we will. No matter what, no matter when,” he added.
Zaidi, however, stressed that Pakistan’s immediate focus was preventing the situation from escalating further and ensuring that key regional partners were not drawn into a broader conflict.
“The real question is what Pakistan is doing to make sure that things do not escalate to a point where any of its closest partners are further embroiled in a conflict,” he said.
He revealed that Pakistan has been maintaining contact with both Saudi and Iranian leaderships amid the crisis and highlighted recent diplomatic engagements, including the visit of Pakistan’s army chief, Asim Munir, to Saudi Arabia.
Zaidi also praised Gulf states for resisting external pressure to become directly involved in the conflict.
“There have been appeals from some quarters pushing Gulf Cooperation Council countries to get actively involved,” he said, adding that their restraint was something Pakistan supported.
At the same time, he acknowledged the strong economic and strategic partnership between Islamabad and Riyadh, noting that Saudi Arabia has already helped Pakistan stabilise its energy supply chain during the crisis.
According to Zaidi, disruptions to regional shipping routes could delay fuel shipments to Pakistan from the usual five to six days to nearly three weeks if alternative routes are used.
Saudi Arabia, he said, has stepped in to ensure Pakistan’s access to oil, diesel and crude supplies, highlighting the depth of cooperation between the two countries.
He also pointed to the government’s recent austerity measures aimed at coping with the economic fallout of the regional crisis, including a four-day work week, expanded work-from-home arrangements and a significant reduction in government vehicle usage.
“Every crisis is an opportunity for change,” Zaidi remarked.
