Pakistan for diplomatic solution
2026-01-30 - 21:56
AS war clouds are hovering in the region, Pakistan is pushing for a diplomatic solution of the standoff between the United States and Iran, urging the issue should be resolved through dialogue and not through use of force. The position of the country was articulated across official engagements and public statements, including a telephone call between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, contacts between the two foreign ministers and remarks by the Foreign Office spokesperson at the media briefing in which Islamabad strongly opposed the use of force and coercive measures against Iran. Pakistan’s efforts aimed at seeking a peaceful solution to the crisis comes at a time when the United States is building up its naval presence in the Gulf, Israel is issuing threatening statements and some European allies of the United States are increasing pressure on Tehran. Washington has significantly increased its military presence in the Middle East and the Gulf region, driven by escalating tensions with Iran following a severe crackdown on domestic protests and this rapid reinforcement includes the deployment of a major naval armada, additional air assets and a surge in personnel. The US has deployed the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group, accompanied by three destroyers and more than 5,000 troops, joining existing assets including F-15E Strike Eagles and THAAD and Patriot missile systems, raising total US forces in the region to around 50,000 by late January. In a related move, the EU has, indirectly, put its weight behind the US by deciding to designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran as a terrorist organization. The European Union will also impose sanctions, including asset freezes and travel bans, on 21 Iranian individuals and entities, a move meant to signal the bloc’s opposition to what is happening in the country. There are clear indications that the US and Israel are colluding for the so-called regime change in Iran and carry out strikes against its nuclear sites on the pretext of human rights and regional security (which, in fact, means security of the Jewish State). In this backdrop, Pakistan has done well by raising its voice forcefully against the tendency of trying to settle disputes through the use of force and expressing complete solidarity with Iran, the people of which are already facing immense problems due to long-running sanctions. The PM has rightly underscored the importance of sustained dialogue and diplomatic engagement for promoting peace, security and development in the region as the war will have serious implications not only for peace, security and progress of the region but also the entire world. Similar sentiments were expressed by Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar during his telephonic talks with the Iranian FM during which he expressed serious concern over the evolving situation in the region. Foreign Office spokesman Tahir Andrabi expanded on Islamabad’s stance, linking it explicitly to opposition to force, sanctions and external pressure. He also cited a recent UN Human Rights Council resolution on Iran that opposed the use of force and called for upholding the UN Charter, noting that we subscribe to these positions and we will continue to do so. As for the nuclear issue, Pakistan supported efforts anchored in international law, citing the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and subsequent UN Security Council resolutions, including resolutions presented at the Council in September last year. In fact, Pakistan is not alone in emphasizing the need for a peaceful resolution of the conflict as other regional countries including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Oman have pressed for dialogue and Turkiye said it is ready to mediate between the US and Iran on the nuclear issue. There is no justification to carry out any aggression against Iran when protests in the country have subsided and Tehran has signaled its readiness to resume nuclear dialogue.