Pakistan is playing a role in reducing tensions in the Middle East and remains engaged with regional leaders as part of diplomatic efforts to promote peace, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi said on Friday.

Speaking at a weekly news briefing, Andrabi said Pakistan wants peace and is actively presenting its position on international law, Kashmir, water disputes and terrorism at global forums.

He said Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi had made two important visits to Iran, during which meetings were held with the Iranian leadership to discuss bilateral ties, the regional situation and security issues.

Responding to questions about remarks by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Andrabi said the comments were made in the context of the interior minister’s visit to Iran and not regarding any other personality or delegation.

He also rejected suggestions that Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar had been sidelined from the peace process.

“The peace process should not be viewed in the context of any one institution or personality,” Andrabi said, adding that the prime minister, army chief, deputy prime minister and interior minister were all working together.

Pakistan remains in regular contact with the Iranian leadership and is also facilitating the peace process between the United States and Iran, he added.

The spokesperson denied reports that Pakistan had been asked to provide airspace for any potential US military strike, saying no such request had been made.

On security issues, Andrabi said Pakistan had taken effective steps to prevent militant attacks and blamed the current tensions in Pakistan-Afghanistan relations on attacks by militant groups operating from Afghan territory.

He said the Afghan government was responsible under international law and the Doha Agreement for ensuring its soil was not used for attacks against Pakistan.

Andrabi dismissed allegations regarding the presence of Pakistani fans in India as “ridiculous” and compared such claims to outdated “pigeon narratives.”

Commenting on reports of Pakistanis being expelled from the United Arab Emirates, he said the allegations were baseless. However, he acknowledged that around 3,000 Pakistanis had returned under various legal and administrative circumstances.

He said Pakistan and China shared a common position on tensions in the Gulf region, and both countries supported peace and stability.

On the Indus Waters Treaty, Andrabi said there was no provision allowing unilateral withdrawal from the agreement and noted that Pakistan had approached the Court of Arbitration under the treaty’s dispute resolution mechanism.

“Pakistan will not compromise even a drop of its water,” he said.

Addressing the situation in Indian-administered Kashmir, Andrabi described the demolition of houses as a serious issue and alleged that such actions were part of efforts to alter the demographic composition of the disputed territory.