Pakistan, Indonesia, Malaysia to jointly urge Iran, Gulf states to resolve dispute through diplomacy

Pakistan agreed separately with Indonesia and Malaysia on Thursday about jointly urging “maximum restraint” to all parties and stakeholders currently involved in the raging crisis in the Middle East.

Tensions in the Middle East escalated sharply after US and Israeli air strikes last week assassinated Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several senior officials, triggering a wave of retaliation from Tehran and widening the conflict across the region. In response to the strikes, Iran launched retaliatory attacks on US military bases in several Gulf countries, significantly expanding the scope of the confrontation.

Iran’s strikes across the Gulf caused the most widespread disruption to business activity in the region since the COVID-19 pandemic, forcing the closure of airports, halting operations at key ports and sending shockwaves through regional financial markets. The attacks landed across major Gulf states — a region that has spent decades cultivating its reputation as one of the world’s most stable and reliable global business hubs. The escalation marked an unprecedented development for cities such as Dubai, whose modern economic model has been built around maintaining stability and remaining largely insulated from conflicts in the wider Middle East.

Pakistan’s leadership has since ramped up its diplomatic efforts to play its part in managing the tensions, particularly between Iran and the Gulf states.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the premier held separate telephone conversations today with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim, during which they discussed the escalating crisis in the Middle East and broader regional developments.

PM Shehbaz expressed deep concern over the worsening situation in the Middle East in his conversation with the Indonesian president.

“Both leaders agreed to work together to urge all parties to exercise maximum restraint, while pursuing sincere and serious initiatives to resolve all outstanding differences, through constructive dialogue and diplomacy,” the PMO said.

He strongly condemned Israel’s attacks on Iran, as well as the subsequent attacks on other brotherly Gulf countries.

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PM Shehbaz also briefed the Indonesian leader on Pakistan’s ongoing diplomatic outreach to Gulf nations in response to the crisis.

The prime minister also informed President Subianto about recent developments concerning Afghanistan, where Pakistan is currently waging Operation Ghazab Lil Haq against the Afghan Taliban regime and terrorist groups.

The two leaders agreed to remain in close contact in the coming days.

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The premier expressed similar concern about the Middle East in his talk with his Malaysian counterpart.

“The two leaders agreed that restoration of peace and a swift return to normalcy was essential, but this could be achieved only through exercise of maximum restraint by all parties involved. In this regard, they agreed to work together and coordinate their positions on a regular basis.”

The prime minister stressed the importance of respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states in accordance with the United Nations Charter and international law. He urged all parties to demonstrate restraint, halt hostilities, and resolve their differences through dialogue and diplomatic engagement.

PM Shehbaz further briefed the Malaysian premier on the Afghanistan situation as well, particularly Pakistan’s efforts to counter terrorist elements and strengthen security in the region.

“Both leaders agreed to maintain close coordination on all issues of mutual interest,” the PMO said.

Separately, Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also discussed regional developments with British High Commissioner Jane Marriott and Canadian counterpart Anita Anand, emphasising the urgent need for de-escalation and restraint to ensure peace and security in the Middle East and the wider region.

He also stressed the importance of dialogue, diplomacy and adherence to international law to promote de-escalation and stability.