Pakistan on Thursday expressed concern over escalating tensions between the United States and Iran, saying it is working to bring both sides back to the negotiating table under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and restore stability in the region.

Speaking at the weekly media briefing in Islamabad, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said Islamabad remains actively engaged in diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the situation in the Middle East and facilitate dialogue between Washington and Tehran.

He said Pakistan is in contact with relevant stakeholders to help normalise the situation in the Strait of Hormuz and promote regional peace.

“The two sides remain engaged in dialogue, and Pakistan is playing its role in efforts to ensure peace in the region,” the spokesperson said.

Andrabi said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had spoken with the Saudi Crown Prince by telephone, while Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar had separately held discussions with the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia and Jordan.

He added that Kuwait’s foreign minister had also recently visited Pakistan as part of ongoing regional consultations.

Rejecting a recent documentary by Germany’s public broadcaster Deutsche Welle (DW) on Pakistan’s nuclear programme, Andrabi said the report contained misinformation and urged the broadcaster to adhere to fundamental journalistic standards.

He said Pakistan has full confidence in the safety and security of its nuclear programme, stressing that its command and control system meets international standards.

The spokesperson also criticised restrictions imposed on Pakistani social media accounts by India, describing the move as a reflection of the Indian government’s intolerance.

Responding to a question about next year’s Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, Andrabi confirmed that Pakistan will host the meeting of the Council of Heads of State and, as the host country, will extend invitations to all member states.

He also said Saudi Arabia has every right to defend itself, but declined to comment on the Iraqi government’s position regarding recent regional developments.

On Pakistan-India relations, Andrabi confirmed that diplomatic visas are being issued through the two countries’ high commissions, describing the process as an administrative matter.

Addressing questions on Afghanistan, the spokesperson rejected allegations that Pakistani operations had caused civilian casualties, saying Pakistan targets only terrorists and their hideouts.

Andrabi declined to comment on the situation in Afghanistan’s Badakhshan province.

He further said Pakistan has not deported any Afghan national carrying valid legal documentation.