ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday stepped up diplomatic outreach as the Middle East conflict deepens, condemning the escalating violence and urging restraint while engaging regional and Muslim world leaders to push for de-escalation.
The diplomatic push came as the war triggered by joint US–Israeli strikes on Iran entered its sixth day, widening across the region with missile launches, air defense interceptions and growing fears of a broader confrontation.
In a series of calls with foreign leaders, PM Sharif voiced concern over the rapidly evolving situation and emphasized the need to prevent further escalation.
“The prime minister expressed serious concern over the developing situation in the Middle East,” an official statement said, adding that Pakistan condemned the ongoing bombardment and called for restraint by all sides.
Sharif held conversations with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, exchanging views on the regional crisis and its potential consequences.
During the discussions, the Pakistani leader stressed the need for diplomacy and adherence to international norms.
“The prime minister emphasized the imperative of respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states and the urgent need for restraint, de-escalation and diplomacy,” the statment said.
The outreach forms part of Islamabad’s broader diplomatic effort as the conflict spreads beyond Iran, with retaliatory missile and drone attacks reported across parts of the Middle East and neighboring regions.
Sharif also condemned missile strikes linked to the conflict that were reported in Azerbaijan and Türkiye, expressing solidarity with both countries.
“The prime minister expressed serious concern over the attacks and conveyed Pakistan’s solidarity with Azerbaijan and Türkiye,” officials said.
Regional tensions have escalated sharply following the initial US–Israeli strikes on Iranian military and leadership targets, including facilities linked to the country’s defense establishment.
The strikes triggered retaliatory attacks by Iran across the Gulf and surrounding areas, raising fears that the conflict could draw in additional states.
Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev has accused Iran of “terrorism” after drone attacks struck an airport and a school in the country’s border region, warning that retaliation could follow.
Türkiye has also reported a missile incident linked to the widening hostilities. Turkish authorities said a ballistic missile launched from Iran passed over Iraqi and Syrian airspace before being intercepted by NATO air defense systems.
Pakistan has continued to advocate dialogue and restraint, warning that a prolonged conflict could destabilize the wider region.
Sharif reiterated that diplomatic engagement remains the only viable path to reducing tensions and preventing a wider war.
“The prime minister called for maximum restraint and emphasized the importance of dialogue and diplomacy to uphold respect for sovereignty and maintain peace and stability in the region,” according to the statement.
Islamabad has increasingly positioned itself as a voice for de-escalation as the conflict spreads across multiple fronts and concerns grow over its humanitarian and geopolitical consequences.
Pakistan’s diplomatic outreach comes amid heightened uncertainty across the Middle East, where missile exchanges, military deployments and political tensions continue to intensify.
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