Islamabad: Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi has said that Pakistan remains deeply concerned by attempts to draw the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia into the Middle East conflict and reiterates its unwavering support for the Kingdom's security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
This was stated by FO Spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi while addressing a weekly press briefing on Thursday.
Tahir Andrabi started his briefing with the situation in the Middle East and the Gulf region. Tahir Andrabi said earlier this week, the Houthi militia threatened a "maritime embargo against Saudi Arabia's commercial shipping in the Red Sea". There have been reports of attacks on Saudi ships overnight.
He said that Pakistan unequivocally condemns the continued threats by the Houthis against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and commercial shipping in the Red Sea, which endangers regional security, freedom of navigation, and global trade.
He said that Pakistan reaffirms that any hostile act against Pakistani-flagged vessels or Pakistan's maritime interests will be regarded as a grave threat to its national security. We reserve the right to take all necessary measures in self-defence, consistent with international law.
Tahir Andrabi said that Pakistan remains deeply concerned by attempts to draw the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia into the Middle East conflict and reiterates its unwavering support for the Kingdom's security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. Tahir Andrabi said we issued a detailed press release on this subject, which the media covered on Wednesday.
FO spokesperson said that last week, when Saudi Arabia was attacked by these armed groups in Yemen, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif made a strong statement. The Prime Minister warned that such attacks have "the potential to further undermine regional peace and stability". Given that the escalation has continued, the words of our Prime Minister resonate even more profoundly. Amid ongoing hostilities and armed attacks, Pakistan reiterates its call on all parties to exercise restraint.
Tahir Andrabi said that Pakistan is continuing its diplomatic outreach in support of dialogue and diplomacy. In this vein, Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni visited Pakistan this week. During the visit, he met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, and other senior officials. The visit reflects the two neighbours' close coordination on regional developments and Pakistan's continued diplomatic engagement with Iran. Pakistan has repeatedly called for restraint by all sides and has stated that dialogue remains the only viable solution to prevent a wider regional conflict.
He said that on 18 July, Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar spoke with Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah Al-Sabah on regional developments, emphasising de-escalation, respect for sovereignty, and implementation of the Islamabad MoU. Both sides agreed to remain in close contact.
Tahir andrabi Said that Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar was in Shanghai, China, on 16-17 July to attend the signing ceremony establishing the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO). The initiative aims to strengthen international cooperation on artificial intelligence governance, research, and capacity-building. As a founding member of WAICO, Pakistan looks forward to enhanced international cooperation on artificial intelligence, particularly South-South cooperation, to harness the technology for sustainable economic development.
While in Shanghai, he also held bilateral talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, during which they discussed the implementation of CPEC, regional connectivity, SCO cooperation, trade, and the Pakistan-China strategic partnership. They also reaffirmed the Pakistan-China All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership.
He said that Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Anita Anand, paid an official visit to Pakistan on 20 July 2026. This was the first visit by a Canadian Foreign Minister to Pakistan in nearly 20 years. She met the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad. Both sides discussed bilateral relations, trade and investment, regional and global developments, climate cooperation, and people-to-people ties.
FO Spokesperson said that Pakistan and Canada signed the Protocol on Phytosanitary Import Requirements for Genetically Modified Canola Intended for Food, Feed and Processing (FPP), facilitating agricultural trade between the two countries. They also agreed to expand cooperation in trade, investment, security, and development, reaffirming their commitment to institutionalizing bilateral engagement.