PM Shehbaz rallies allies for diplomacy amid Middle East crisis

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held separate calls with the leaders of Azerbaijan, Malaysia and Uzbekistan as Pakistan pushed for restraint and diplomatic engagement over escalating tensions in the Middle East.

During the conversations, the leaders exchanged Eid ul Fitr greetings and discussed the worsening regional security situation. According to the Prime Minister's Office, they stressed the need for immediate de-escalation and agreed that dialogue remains the only sustainable path to stability.

In his call with Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev, the premier expressed solidarity with the Azerbaijani people and condemned attacks affecting the region. Similar messages were conveyed in discussions with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, with all sides underlining unity within the Muslim world and the importance of coordinated diplomatic efforts.

The outreach follows Pakistan's broader effort to stay engaged with friendly countries as the crisis deepens and carries wider implications for regional peace, energy routes and economic stability.