By The South Asia Times

ISLAMABAD — Pakistan remains actively engaged as a facilitator in ongoing negotiations between the United States and Iran, with diplomatic channels “fully functional” and the clock on diplomacy still ticking, Foreign Ministry spokesman Tahir Andrabi said during his weekly press briefing on Thursday.

Addressing reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Andrabi provided a comprehensive update on Pakistan’s mediation efforts, the deteriorating situation along the Afghan border, the Kashmir dispute, and the welfare of Pakistani nationals detained abroad.

Responding to questions about whether Pakistan’s role as mediator had ended following reports of direct US-Iran contact, Andrabi firmly rejected the notion.

“Pakistan is actively engaged with both sides to achieve resolution of this issue. The facilitation process is ongoing,” he said. “The clock on diplomacy has not stopped. We remain hopeful of a negotiated settlement.”

He revealed that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has held at least three telephone conversations with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in the past fortnight, while Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has spoken with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi more than five times during the same period. Araghchi also made two visits to Islamabad.

Andrabi declined to comment on specific proposals, citing confidentiality. “Proposals — old, new, not so new — are all on the table. We understand that the main interlocutors are deliberating on these issues in depth,” he said, adding that both Washington and Tehran are holding internal consultations.

On the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, Andrabi said Pakistan supports the legitimate interests of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and has called for the swift and safe passage of civilian ships. “The closure affects everybody. We need to focus on the importance of reopening the Strait,” he stated.

When asked about a potential direct phone line between US and Iranian leaders, Andrabi welcomed the idea. “We would welcome that development. If the two parties can engage in real-time direct conversation, that would be a positive step. Pakistan’s facilitation role would continue.”

- Afghan border tensions

Andrabi devoted significant attention to escalating tensions along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, particularly incidents in South Waziristan adjacent to Bannu district, including Angoor Adda.

“On April 26 and 29, 2026, Afghan forces carried out unprovoked firing and shelling targeting civilian populations,” he said. “Several people were injured, and multiple houses were damaged. Among the injured were women and children aged 3, 8, and 10.”

The spokesman strongly condemned the attacks and expressed solidarity with affected families. He noted that tribal elders have demanded an immediate halt to cross-border shelling.

Regarding the Afghan Taliban’s claim that Pakistan targeted a university in Kunar province earlier this week — an assertion widely circulated by Taliban-linked social media accounts — Andrabi dismissed it outright.

“These claims are a blatant lie and an attempt to gain sympathy to cover up the activities of the Afghan Taliban and Fitnah al-Khawarij (TTP),” he said. “There were no strikes carried out on any university, particularly Sayyed Jamaluddin Afghan University. These claims are frivolous and fake.”

He reiterated Pakistan’s one-point agenda with the Afghan Taliban: “Afghan territory should not be used to plan, sponsor, and engineer attacks against Pakistan. This demand is within international law, and it was part of the Doha Agreement.”

Andrabi also confirmed that Pakistan’s Charge d’Affaires in Kabul was summoned by the Afghan Foreign Ministry, but described it as “a familiar pattern of propaganda aimed at smoke-screening the permissive environment provided by the Afghan Taliban for known terrorist organizations.”

- Kashmir: Erasure of Muslim identity

The spokesman expressed serious concern over the continued detention of Kashmiri leaders Shabir Ahmad Shah and Muhammad Yasin Malik. Shah, who has been diagnosed with cancer, has remained incarcerated for seven consecutive years on “fabricated charges,” Andrabi said.

“We call upon India to end the sham trial of Shabir Shah and similar proceedings against other Kashmiri leaders,” he said, adding that India’s judicial system has granted relief to individuals like Aseemanand and Colonel Purohit while “incarcerating Kashmiri Muslims.”

Andrabi also condemned the reported ban on Jamia Siraj-ul-Uloom, an educational institution in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJ&K), under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. “Banning this educational institution is a flagrant injustice to poor and underprivileged communities,” he said, calling it part of a broader policy to “erase the socio-cultural and religious identity of the Kashmiri people.”

He further highlighted the removal of Urdu language from school curricula and recruitment exams in IIOJ&K. “Urdu is a common heritage of the Muslims of this region. If this language is erased, it should be an eye-opener, particularly for those who have acquiesced to Indian occupation.”

- Hate speech in India

Andrabi strongly condemned remarks by a BJP women’s wing leader who reportedly compared Muslims to “pigs.” “These statements are as despicable as they are distasteful. While deeply condemnable, they are not surprising and reflect a broader and deeply troubling trend: the normalization of hate speech and the increasing marginalization of Muslims in India,” he said.

He also noted protests at Jamia Millia Islamia University in New Delhi against a program marking “100 Years of RSS,” calling it evidence of “the permeation of extremist Hindutva ideology into educational institutions.”

- Pakistanis detained in Cambodia, Somalia

On the plight of 61 Pakistanis detained in Cambodia, Andrabi said most had entered on valid tourist visas but were caught working illegally. Cambodian authorities have been “very kind” and are considering waiving penalties. “Once legal processes are complete, their return will be swift,” he said.

Regarding the hijacked oil tanker MT Honor 25 off the coast of Somalia, Andrabi confirmed that 10 Pakistani crew members are among the 17 hostages. “The Somali Foreign Ministry has assured us they are closely monitoring the situation. We have fair reason to believe the crew members are safe and secure,” he said, adding that the vessel’s owner is a local Puntland businessman in contact with the pirates.

- UAE-Pakistan ties

Andrabi dismissed recent media reports suggesting that Pakistani Shia Muslims were being targeted for visa cancellations in the UAE or that a UAE business group was exiting PTCL. “These reports are absolutely fabricated. There may be an element of rumor-mongering to drive a wedge between brotherly countries. Pakistan and UAE are brotherly countries, supportive of each other,” he said.

The spokesman concluded by reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to principled, dialogue-oriented diplomacy. The full transcript of the briefing was made available on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ official website.