ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian engaged in a telephonic
conversation on Saturday evening, which centered around the rising tensions between Pakistan and
India.
The discussion took place amidst the backdrop of heightened tensions following the deadly April
22 attack in Pahalgam, located in the India-held Kashmir region. The terrorist attack, which claimed the
lives of 26 individuals, mostly tourists, has escalated tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbors.
According to Tehran’s state-run IRNA, during the conversation, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed
his appreciation for Iran’s readiness to help de-escalate the situation between Pakistan and India. He
emphasized that Pakistan values peace in the region and would welcome any efforts from Iran to ease
the mounting tensions.
In his statement, Prime Minister Shehbaz reiterated Pakistan’s strong stance against terrorism, stressing
that the country had no connection to the Pahalgam attack. He assured President Pezeshkian that
Pakistan is committed to participating in a fair and unbiased investigation into the tragic incident,
underscoring that Pakistan has long been one of the most significant victims of terrorism. Over the past
two decades, Pakistan has suffered countless casualties and invested billions of dollars in combating
terrorism.
The Pahalgam attack, allegedly claimed by the previously unknown militant group The Resistance Front
(TRF), has led to significant diplomatic fallout. India has accused Pakistan of cross-border links with the
attackers, an allegation that Pakistan strongly denies. In retaliation, India has suspended the Indus
Waters Treaty (IWT), which governs the use of the shared rivers between the two countries. Pakistan, in
turn, has threatened to reconsider the Simla Agreement and has also closed its airspace to Indian flights.
In response to India’s move regarding the IWT, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated that weaponizing
water was “unacceptable.” He made it clear that Pakistan would defend itself from any such threats,
reinforcing that the country’s water rights must be respected.
During the conversation, the Iranian President conveyed his condolences over the recent terrorist attack
on Shahid Rajaee Port in Iran, which killed several people. President Pezeshkian expressed gratitude for
Pakistan’s solidarity in the aftermath of the explosion. He also praised Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to
promote peace and stability in the region. In a gesture of diplomacy, President Pezeshkian extended an
invitation to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to visit Tehran, while Sharif reciprocated the invitation,
inviting the Iranian president to Islamabad.
This exchange of diplomatic messages underscores the desire for peace and cooperation between
Pakistan and Iran amidst the growing regional instability. Both countries appear committed to reducing
tensions and resolving conflicts through dialogue and mutual understanding. The ongoing discussions
between the two leaders are likely to pave the way for further efforts toward regional stability and
peace in the coming weeks.
