Islamabad: Pakistan is actively engaged with its regional allies in efforts to address the ongoing crises in the Middle East and the Gulf, Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said. The country is working to facilitate dialogue and negotiations between involved parties to promote peace and stability.

According to Radio Pakistan, Andrabi, speaking at a weekly news briefing, emphasized Pakistan’s commitment to supporting diplomatic efforts, including the use of direct and indirect channels to continue constructive dialogue. The spokesperson also addressed issues of maritime security, affirming Pakistan’s support for freedom of navigation in international waterways and highlighting the country’s role in a maritime coalition initiated by Saudi Arabia.

Andrabi further elaborated on the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement, describing it as a defensive pact aimed at unifying efforts to confront security challenges. Addressing remarks from the Indian Ministry of External Affairs on Azad Kashmir, Andrabi rejected these as baseless and called on India to respect UN resolutions regarding Jammu and Kashmir, advocating for a UN-administered plebiscite to determine the region’s future.