Pakistan on Saturday rejected media reports claiming its efforts to facilitate talks between the United States and Iran had stalled after an initial exchange of proposals.
Calling the reports “baseless” and a “figment of imagination,” Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi firmly denied the claims.
“We have noted several reports in the media, including on social media, citing so-called official sources regarding Pakistan’s role in promoting peace and dialogue in the region,”
“We categorically reject these false insinuations. Any attribution to official sources in this regard is incorrect,” he added.
‘Briefing Misrepresented’
The clarification comes amid speculation following a closed-door briefing by a senior official of Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry.
Andrabi said the controversy arose from a misinterpretation of a background briefing held on Friday, expressing concern over how it was reported during a sensitive time in the region.
He urged media outlets to exercise caution and rely only on official statements for accurate information.
What Reports Claimed
Some reports, including those by Dawn and The Wall Street Journal, suggested that while Pakistan had facilitated communication between Washington and Tehran, progress had slowed due to a lack of clear response from Iran.
According to these reports, Iran has not shown readiness to engage in talks through channels based in Islamabad.
Despite this, Pakistani officials maintain that diplomatic outreach is ongoing, with continued contact with Iran’s leadership.
Pakistan’s Mediation Efforts
Pakistan stepped up diplomatic efforts soon after the conflict began, aiming to promote dialogue and reduce tensions in the region.
While it has not yet succeeded in brokering a ceasefire, Islamabad has so far managed to stay out of direct involvement in the conflict.
The ongoing war, triggered by US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, has since escalated across the Gulf, impacting regional stability and global energy routes, particularly through the Strait of Hormuz. (Agency)
