Islamabad: Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi has said Pakistan is playing the role of a bridge builder to help de-escalate the current tensions in the Middle East (ME). At his weekly news briefing in Islamabad, Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi stated that Pakistan's principled position on issues related to sovereignty, international law, and the UN charter is respected in all regional capitals, allowing for effective communication between the relevant capitals.
According to Radio Pakistan, the spokesperson highlighted that throughout the current wave of conflict, Pakistan has consistently urged interlocutors, especially relevant countries, to adhere to three key principles: respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, a commitment to refrain from using force within each other's territories, and upholding international law and the principles enshrined in the UN Charter. Additionally, Pakistan has encouraged the resumption of dialogue and engagement to achieve a peaceful negotiated resolution to the crisis.
Regarding the situation along the Pak-Afghan border, the spokesperson reiterated that Pakistan conducted targeted operations with diligence, ensuring no harm to civilians. He emphasized that Afghan citizens are considered brothers and sisters, and Pakistan will continue to exercise caution to prevent any harm to them. Andrabi conveyed that Pakistan has communicated to the Afghan side and interlocutors the need for verifiable assurances that Afghan territory will not be used for terrorism against Pakistan. In the absence of these assurances, Pakistan will maintain its existing policy towards Afghanistan.
The spokesperson also expressed concerns over the long-term uranium supply agreement between Canada and India, stating that the arrangement represents another country-specific exception in nuclear cooperation. He stressed that civilian nuclear cooperation should be governed by a non-discriminating, criteria-based approach applicable to states not party to nuclear non-proliferation treaties. Selective exceptions, he noted, undermine the credibility of the global non-proliferation framework and risk further destabilizing regional and global peace and security.