Pakistan Reaffirms Commitment to Peace, Diplomacy Amid Regional Tensions at MFA Briefing

Islamabad : ( by Naeem Mehboob ) At a press briefing held on Thursday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) highlighted Pakistan’s recent diplomatic engagements, including Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif’s participation at the 56th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland, and President Asif Ali Zardari’s official visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Prime Minister’s Engagements at WEF
Prime Minister Sharif led a high-level delegation to WEF from January 20–22, participating in key sessions such as the Informal Gathering of World Economic Leaders (IGWEL) on “Restoring a Spirit of Dialogue in a Divided World.” On the sidelines, he met IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva and addressed Pakistan Breakfast at the Pakistan Pavilion.

During the visit, Pakistan joined seven Arab-Islamic countries—including Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and the UAE—on the Board of Peace (BoP) under the framework of UN Security Council Resolution 2803 to support the Gaza Peace Plan. A joint statement from the eight countries has been published on the Ministry’s web portal.

President Zardari’s UAE Visit
President Zardari, visiting UAE from January 26–29, held a key meeting with President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, discussing expansion of bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, energy, infrastructure, technology, and people-to-people exchanges. Both leaders underscored their commitment to regional peace, stability, and sustainable development. The visit followed the recent UAE President’s trip to Pakistan, reflecting the countries’ longstanding and mutually beneficial partnership.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister’s Diplomacy
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, accompanying the Prime Minister to Davos, met with foreign ministers from Canada, Finland, Thailand, and leaders of the International Committee of the Red Cross and Red Crescent. He also inaugurated the Pathfinder Group’s Pakistan Pavilion, emphasizing the role of start-ups and youth entrepreneurship in driving socio-economic growth.

On his return, the DPM/FM stopped over in UAE to meet key economic stakeholders, including the Chairman of Abu Dhabi’s Department of Finance and executives from Etisalat (e&) and ADQ. Discussions focused on expanding UAE investments in Pakistan and resolving operational matters with the Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL).

Bilateral Engagements and Regional Diplomacy
The MFA highlighted high-level visits and engagements this week, including Myanmar’s Foreign Minister H.E. Than Swe, during which bilateral relations and cooperation in religious tourism, cultural exchanges, and political consultations were strengthened. Pakistan also held political consultations with Belgium and Ghana, signing MoUs to facilitate regular engagement and cooperation in various sectors.

Telephonic discussions by the DPM/FM with counterparts from the EU, Iran, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Türkiye, Qatar, and Bangladesh focused on regional stability, trade, and cooperation.

Board of Peace Membership
Addressing questions on Pakistan’s BoP membership, the spokesperson emphasized that Pakistan joined in good faith alongside seven other Muslim countries to consolidate ceasefire in Gaza, support reconstruction, and advance a just, lasting peace for Palestinians. He clarified that BoP membership does not replace the UN, is not linked to troop contributions, and is aligned with UN Security Council Resolution 2803. Decisions were collectively approved through formal government procedures.

Regional Security and Diplomacy
Responding to questions on Middle East tensions, the spokesperson reaffirmed Pakistan’s opposition to coercive measures against Iran, including sanctions or use of force, and highlighted ongoing diplomatic exchanges with Tehran. On South Asia, Pakistan condemned cross-border terrorism originating from Afghan territory and stressed the need for the Afghan Taliban regime to address security concerns, citing recent attacks in DI Khan.

Other Key Issues Addressed

• GSP Plus & EU Trade: Pakistan remains committed to maintaining mutually beneficial trade relations with the EU, following discussions with EU representatives and member states.
• Kashmir Issue: Pakistan reiterated support for Kashmiri leaders, including Yasin Malik, and expressed willingness to explore avenues such as the ICJ for resolution in line with UN resolutions.
• Domestic Legal Matters: The MFA clarified that judgments concerning human rights defenders and references to other countries as “terrorist states” are domestic judicial matters and not reflective of Pakistan’s official policy.
• Cricket & Cultural Diplomacy: Decisions on sports participation, including the Cricket World Cup, fall under the Pakistan Cricket Board’s jurisdiction, with no direct consultation from the MFA.
• Diplomatic Reciprocity: Pakistan urged India to uphold fair treatment of Pakistani diplomats and emphasized the importance of reciprocity in diplomatic conduct.

The press briefing concluded with an emphasis on Pakistan’s continued advocacy for peace, diplomacy, and regional stability, while promoting constructive international partnerships and engagement in multilateral forums.

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