By The South Asia Times

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan said Wednesday that renewed tensions between the United States and Iran were complicating efforts to end the conflict, while stressing that Islamabad remained committed to dialogue, restraint and diplomacy as the best path toward a lasting settlement.

The Foreign Ministry Spokesman Tahir Andrabi said Pakistan was continuing its “sincere efforts” alongside other regional states to resolve the crisis and remained hopeful that diplomatic engagement could overcome the latest escalation.

At a weekly press briefing, the Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had discussed the evolving regional situation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Bishkek, reiterating Pakistan’s commitment to achieving peace through restraint, dialogue and sustained diplomacy.

The spokesperson said the understanding reached under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding remained the “most viable pathway” toward lasting peace and stability in the region.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also interacted with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on the sidelines of the SCO summit, where the two sides discussed the regional situation. The situation in the Gulf and Middle East was also discussed during Pakistani leadership’s interactions in Istanbul in the context of meetings under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye.

Pakistan’s Army Chief and Chief of Defence Forces, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, visited Tehran on Aug. 25 as part of Islamabad’s diplomatic efforts to facilitate an end to the US-Iran conflict and renewed efforts to reopen the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

According to the spokesperson, regional de-escalation, breaking the military stalemate and exploring a negotiated settlement to restore peace and stability were discussed during the visit.

The spokesperson said Munir’s visit generated momentum that was followed by high-level visits from Oman and Qatar, adding that despite the recent escalation, Pakistan remained hopeful and would continue to pursue dialogue and diplomacy.

The briefing also covered Pakistan’s wider diplomatic engagements over the past week. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is currently in Bishkek, where he held bilateral discussions with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov on the full spectrum of bilateral relations, while several agreements and memorandums of understanding were signed in trade, economic, industrial and investment sectors.

The prime minister also participated in the SCO Council of Heads of State meeting and the SCO Plus Summit, where he delivered statements outlining Pakistan’s positions on regional and international issues.

Pakistan has assumed the chairmanship of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and will host the next meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of State next year under the theme “Turning Vision into Action: Connectivity, Innovation and Shared Prosperity.” Islamabad said it would work closely with SCO members to advance regional peace and stability, economic cooperation, connectivity and shared development.

The Foreign Ministry also highlighted the inaugural meeting of the Strategic Political and Defence Committee established under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye, which was held in Istanbul on Aug. 31.

The three countries reaffirmed their commitment to regional peace, stability and de-escalation, including through restraint and the peaceful resolution of crises, while agreeing to further institutionalize cooperation under the agreement in areas including collective deterrence, defence and cooperative security.

A Secretariat headed by a secretary-general will be established in Saudi Arabia and will initially be led by a Pakistani secretary-general for a three-year term.

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye also agreed to deepen cooperation in defence industries, joint technology development and defence production to strengthen the capabilities and cohesion of their armed forces.

On the sidelines of the Istanbul meeting, Dar held talks with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, with both sides welcoming the continued strengthening of Pakistan-Türkiye relations in political, economic, security and cultural fields. They also agreed to convene the next session of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council soon and maintain close coordination on regional and international issues.

Before travelling to Istanbul, Dar visited London, where he held high-level meetings with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, Minister of State for Pakistan Stephen Doughty, National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell, International Maritime Organization Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez and Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey.

The Foreign Ministry also welcomed the Sept. 1 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague concerning the Indus Waters Treaty, saying the court had reaffirmed that the treaty remains fully in force and binding and rejected India’s unilateral attempt to place it in “abeyance.”

Pakistan said the unanimous award reaffirmed the sanctity of the treaty and international law, confirming that India’s purported decision to suspend the agreement did not relieve it of its obligations and that the treaty’s dispute-settlement mechanisms remained operative.

Islamabad said the ruling vindicated its position that disputes concerning the Indus waters must be addressed strictly within the framework of the treaty and international law.

He announced that Ambassador Sajjad Haider Khan will assume responsibility as the new spokesperson.