Islamabad, Pakistan – Web Desk: Pakistan’s Foreign Office has rejected reports suggesting that Islamabad is being used to exert pressure on Iran, calling such claims “incorrect and misleading.”
Speaking at a weekly briefing in Islamabad, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi said Iran is a sovereign state with independent policies, and any suggestion of Pakistan influencing Tehran is unfounded.
He also dismissed speculation that a group comprising Pakistan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Türkiye constitutes a military alliance, describing such characterizations as “premature.”
The spokesperson noted that Pakistan remains in active diplomatic contact with the United States, European partners, and Gulf countries. Some of these nations maintain diplomatic relations with Israel, he added.
Providing updates on regional coordination, Andrabi confirmed that Iran has allowed two Pakistani vessels per day to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, although no fixed movement schedule is currently in place.
He further revealed that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian had expressed appreciation to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and emphasized the importance of confidence-building measures for mediation efforts. The prime minister also held discussions with European Council President Antonio Costa on March 31.
Highlighting broader diplomatic initiatives, Andrabi said the Pakistan-China five-point proposal has received international recognition, including support from U.S. officials advocating dialogue and de-escalation.
On regional security, the spokesperson reiterated that “Operation Ghazab-ul-Haq” is ongoing without any change in policy. He stressed Pakistan’s demand for concrete assurances from Afghanistan that its territory will not be used for terrorism.
He added that while Afghan authorities have made verbal commitments, Pakistan seeks verifiable and written guarantees, noting that similar assurances under the Doha Agreement were not fully implemented.
