ISLAMABAD, Aug 27 (Alliance News): Pakistan on Thursday rejected reports that Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir recently visited Iran as an envoy of US President Donald Trump, saying the visit was part of Islamabad’s ongoing mediation efforts.
Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi termed the reports “misleading and factually incorrect” and said CDF Munir’s visit to Tehran was undertaken “purely in the context and backdrop of Pakistan’s ongoing role as mediator”.
Andrabi said Munir visited Tehran on August 24 as part of Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to facilitate an end to the US-Iran conflict and support renewed efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
He said discussions during the visit focused on regional de-escalation, breaking the military stalemate and exploring a negotiated settlement aimed at restoring peace and stability in the region.
The spokesperson said Pakistan remained engaged with brotherly countries in sincere and coordinated efforts to resolve the ongoing crisis in the Middle East and Gulf, particularly the standoff between Washington and Tehran.
According to Andrabi, the visit highlighted Islamabad’s “sincere and constructive role” in bridging differences between the United States and Iran.
He added that the Iranian leadership appreciated Pakistan’s efforts towards de-escalation and regional peace.
Pakistan ready for dialogue with Afghanistan
Responding to a question about a proposal by Afghanistan’s interim interior minister for a bilateral mechanism to address outstanding issues, the FO spokesperson said Pakistan was ready to engage Kabul in state-level dialogue.
However, he said any such engagement would depend on Afghanistan taking concrete and verifiable measures to prevent its territory from being used for terrorism against Pakistan.
“Pakistan notes the proposal by the interim Afghan government’s interior minister for a bilateral mechanism to address issues. For any dialogue to take place, the Afghan side must ensure that its soil is not used against Pakistan,” Andrabi said.
He said Pakistan wanted effective border management and verifiable counterterrorism measures from Afghanistan.
“Pakistan is ready for institutional engagement with Afghanistan, provided that it results in verifiable counterterrorism measures,” the spokesperson added.
FO demands action against TTP, BLA
The Foreign Office also urged the Afghan interim government to fulfil its international obligations, including commitments under the Doha framework.
Andrabi said Afghanistan must prevent India-backed banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) from operating from its territory.
“Afghan soil must be prevented from being used by anti-Pakistan elements, including the TTP and BLA,” he said.
The spokesperson reiterated that Pakistan remained open to institutional engagement with Afghanistan but stressed that meaningful dialogue would require verifiable steps against terrorism and improved border security.
