Pakistan to play proactive role in regional de-escalation: FO

Pakistan will continue to play a principled and proactive role in building bridges guided by sincerity of intent and clarity of purpose for immediate de-escalation in the region.

This was stated by Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tahir Andrabi, at his weekly media briefing in Islamabad today.

The Spokesperson said we remained actively and constructively engaged with relevant regional stakeholders and beyond our region, consistently advocating for immediate de-escalation, cessation of hostilities and an irreversible path towards a peaceful resolution.

Tahir Andrabi said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is personally leading our diplomatic outreach to promote dialogue and understanding among all concerned parties. His recent public messaging have received wider international acknowledgement including by the leadership of the United States.

The Spokesperson said the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Asaq Dar has also maintained closed and continuous  robust engagement with his counterparts across the region and beyond in furtherance of these efforts.

Tahir Andrabi expressed concern over the circulation of speculation and unverified reports in certain sections of the media regarding developments in the region, and claims relating to diplomatic exchanges and even purported travel itineraries for that matter.

He emphasized that diplomacy in moments of heightened sensitivity requires discretion, patience and confidentiality.

The Foreign Office Spokesperson urged all parties, all media platforms to exercise responsibility, refrain from conjecture and rely solely on official channels for accurate and timely information. 

Replying to a question about reaction of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs on Pakistan response over sentence awarded to Kashmiri Hurriyat leaders Asiya Andrabi and others, the Spokesperson dismissed the Indian statement with the contempt that it deserves. India cannot conflate legitimate political dissent in pursuit of fundamental political rights with terrorism.

Tahir Andrabi said this is an old bogey of India that subsume everything, every political, legitimate political rights movement into terrorism.

About India's judicial process, the Spokesperson said concerns about their impartiality have been raised even by their own judges. He said the principal accused of Samjhota Express bombing case, who had confessed the crime, they got acquitted, raising serious questions about accountability and due process in India's judicial system.

Tahir Andrabi reiterated that Pakistan strongly condemns and unequivocally rejects the sentencing of prominent Kashmiri political leaders. The verdict reflects the pattern of political vendetta.

Commenting on the recent statement of Indian Minister of External Affairs, the Foreign Office Spokesperson said such undiplomatic rhetoric betrays a deeper sense of frustration. He said when arguments run thin, invective appears to fill the gap.

Tahir Andrabi said Pakistan does not subscribe to such megaphone theatrics. Our approach is anchored in restraint, decorum, and not in rhetorical excesses.