ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi is visiting Tehran for meetings with senior Iranian officials, the country's Foreign Office spokesperson said at a weekly briefing on Wednesday.
According to Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi, the visit focuses on bilateral relations, security matters and regional developments, with a focus on promoting peace and constructive engagement in the region.
The spokesperson said that Pakistan was working with regional partners to help resolve tensions in the Middle East and the Gulf. He stated that Islamabad was pushing to bring the parties involved to the negotiating table and continues to use direct and indirect channels to keep dialogue open.
The Islamabad memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran remains a signed agreement, though it has not been implemented, the spokesperson said.
A 60-day truce tied to the agreement is set to expire around August 17, according to the spokesperson, who said the deadline could be extended if the parties show intent to continue dialogue.
Diplomatic engagements
The spokesperson said that on Sunday, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held separate phone calls with the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Kuwait.
In his call with Saudi foreign minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Dar discussed bilateral and multilateral cooperation, regional developments and coordination between the two countries.
The spokesperson said that Dar also spoke with Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi. The two exchanged views on regional and international developments, peace efforts and a newly signed defense agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye.
In a call with Kuwaiti foreign minister Sheikh Jarrah Jabir al-Ahmad al-Sabah, Dar discussed the defense agreement, regional developments, Pakistan-Kuwait relations and follow-up on the Kuwaiti foreign minister's recent visit to Pakistan, particularly on bilateral investment, the spokesperson said.
On Monday, Foreign Minister Dar spoke with Bahraini foreign minister Dr Abdul Latif bin Rashid al-Zayani, who congratulated him on the defense agreement and said he intends to visit Pakistan. Dar welcomed the proposed visit and reiterated Islamabad's commitment to dialogue and diplomacy for regional peace, the Foreign Office spokesperson said.
Houthis attack
The spokesperson said that Pakistan condemned a Houthi attack on a commercial vessel in the Red Sea that killed three Pakistani crew members and injured a fourth.
According to Andrabi, 11 other Pakistani and Indonesian crew members were rescued.
The attack, which took place August 11, comes as Pakistan works with Saudi Arabia and other regional partners under an international maritime coalition aimed at protecting freedom of navigation and maritime security in the Red Sea, a route central to global shipping.
The country's foreign minister issued a statement on the platform X following the attack, calling it a violation of international law and a threat to freedom of navigation, maritime security and commercial shipping.
The spokesperson stated that Dar has instructed Pakistan's mission in Riyadh to coordinate with Saudi authorities and Yemen's internationally recognized government to determine the circumstances of the attack.
Efforts were underway to retrieve and repatriate the remains of the deceased and to provide medical assistance to the injured, the spokesperson reported. He added that further details will be shared with media as they become available.
Pakistan is a signatory to a maritime coalition communique aimed at protecting freedom of navigation and maritime security under international law, as per the Foreign Office.
The spokesperson said Pakistan is ready to assist Saudi Arabia and other coalition partners in operationalizing the communique to protect the global supply chain and maritime traffic.
Makkah Joint Defense Agreement
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye signed a joint defense agreement at a summit in Makkah on Aug 7. The pact commits the three countries to strengthen collective security and promote peace and stability in the region and beyond, the spokesperson said.
The agreement is defensive in nature, according to the Foreign Office. It allows the three states to coordinate efforts against shared threats and security challenges.
Dar credited Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chief of Defense Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, and the Foreign Office for their roles in reaching the accord, as per the spokesperson. He said the agreement strengthens Pakistan's strategic partnerships with Saudi Arabia and Turkiye while protecting national interests.
Dar also discussed regional developments, including the Makkah agreement and the US-Iran situation, in a call with Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand on August 9.
Gaza and Palestinian Statehood
Andrabi said Israel's actions would represent a serious setback to commitments made at the Board of Peace, which included both the disarmament of Hamas and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza as linked commitments.
The spokesperson said Pakistan expects Israel to abide by its commitments and reaffirmed support for Palestinian statehood in accordance with international law and United Nations resolutions.
