Islamabad (TDI): Pakistan has called for the immediate restoration of normal shipping activity in the Strait of Hormuz, stressing the importance of the vital waterway for global trade and energy supplies.
Speaking at a weekly briefing in Islamabad, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said Pakistan remains in continuous contact with both Washington and Tehran to support efforts aimed at de-escalation and a lasting ceasefire.
“The process of dialogue is ongoing,” he said, adding that recent understandings have helped reduce tensions and prevent further civilian casualties.
Highlighting the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz, Andrabi noted that the route is a key artery for international oil shipments and global commerce. He expressed hope that diplomatic efforts would succeed in reopening the passage at the earliest.
The waterway has remained blocked for nearly two months following the outbreak of conflict triggered by US-Israeli strikes on Iran. The disruption has affected around 20 percent of global oil and gas supplies, pushing energy prices higher and raising fears of a broader economic slowdown.
Andrabi said Pakistan’s diplomatic outreach, led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, and senior military leadership, reflects the country’s commitment to resolving conflicts through dialogue.
He pointed to a series of high-level engagements, including phone calls between PM Shehbaz Sharif and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, consultations with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and meetings with Qatar’s Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. The prime minister also held talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum.
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According to the spokesperson, these diplomatic efforts have played a role in supporting recent US-Iran ceasefire understandings and promoting regional stability.
On consular matters, Andrabi said Pakistani authorities are working to secure the release of sailors held aboard a hijacked vessel off the Somali coast, while maintaining contact with relevant authorities to monitor the situation.
He added that more than 80 Pakistanis detained in Cambodia have been granted consular access and will be repatriated after legal formalities. Meanwhile, 27 Pakistani nationals detained in Kampala, Uganda, were expected to return home, with others making travel arrangements.
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The spokesperson also noted that Pakistan is engaging Ugandan authorities to seek relief from financial penalties imposed on some of the detainees.
