The Foreign Office on Thursday rejected claims that Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir visited Iran as an envoy of the United States, calling the assertions “misleading and factually incorrect”.
CDF Munir travelled to Tehran on August 24 for meetings with the Iranian leadership as part of Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to help break the deadlock in the ongoing US-Iran conflict. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi accompanied him on the day-long visit.
At his weekly briefing in Islamabad, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said the discussions during the visit focused on regional de-escalation, ending the military stalemate and exploring a negotiated settlement to restore peace and stability.
“I will also highlight that claims by certain quarters that the COAS and CDF visited Iran as envoy of President Trump or the US are misleading and factually incorrect, as his visit was undertaken purely in the context and backdrop of Pakistan’s role as a mediator,” he said.
Andrabi said the visit reflected Pakistan’s “sincere and constructive role in bridging the difference between Washington and Tehran”, adding that the Iranian leadership appreciated Islamabad’s efforts to promote de-escalation and a peaceful resolution of the conflict.
He said Pakistan remained engaged with other friendly countries in efforts to address crises in the Middle East and Gulf, including the standoff between the United States and Iran.
“Pakistan will continue to actively pursue diplomatic engagement and support all sincere efforts aimed at reviving the peace talks and achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting resolution of the conflict,” he said.
The spokesperson also noted that Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar had remained in contact with regional counterparts, including holding three conversations with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan over the past two weeks.
A Pakistan-mediated memorandum of understanding signed between the US and Iran in mid-June had provided for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and left Tehran and Muscat to determine its future administration and maritime services in consultation with Gulf states and in accordance with international law. The agreement was intended to pave the way for talks aimed at permanently ending the war but later collapsed.
Recent diplomatic activity, including a visit by Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi to Tehran, has brought renewed focus to efforts to resolve the dispute. However, major differences between Washington and Tehran remain, with Iran insisting that the Islamabad MoU should remain the basis for negotiations.
Pakistan seeks tangible action from Kabul
Responding to questions about reported remarks by Afghan Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani regarding a proposed security mechanism, Andrabi said Pakistan was open to state-level dialogue but stressed that any arrangement must be supported by concrete action.
“We remain open to state-level dialogue. However, the sustainability of any mechanism will depend on tangible actions rather than mere assurances.”
He said the Afghan Taliban must ensure that Afghan territory is not used for attacks against Pakistan.
“Kabul must honour its international commitments, including those under the Doha framework and ensure that Afghan soil is not used by hostile proxies, particularly the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan and the Baloch Liberation Army, against Pakistan,” he said.
Andrabi added that Pakistan remained ready for institutional coordination if it resulted in “tangible and verifiable counterterrorism measures and effective border management”.
FO dismisses Indian claims over Kirana Hills
The FO also rejected claims by former Indian chief of defence staff Anil Chauhan that an Indian Harop drone accidentally struck Kirana Hills near Sargodha during the May 2025 conflict after running critically low on fuel.
“We categorically reject the self-contradictory and retrospective claims made by the former Indian chief of defence staff regarding Kirana Hills,” Andrabi said.
He maintained that Pakistan’s air defence network had thwarted India’s military objectives and that Pakistan’s response under Operation Bunyanum Marsoos demonstrated its ability to impose costs across the conflict.
“No strategic asset or sensitive infrastructure was compromised in Pakistan. Attempts to retrospectively recast these events through selective narrative or dramatised production cannot alter the verifiable operational record of May 2025,” he said.
Andrabi added that history was “established by facts and evidence, not by Bollywood-style retrospective claims”.
“These post-facto punches, if I may call them, 16-18 months after the war would be better directed at their faces,” he added.
Makkah defence pact open to new members
On Bangladesh’s reported interest in joining the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye, Andrabi described the arrangement as an “evolving security architecture”.
“As an evolving security architecture, the MJDA remains open to countries who share their commitments to collective obligations and common security interests,” he said.
The agreement, signed on August 7, is aimed at strengthening collective deterrence and allows member states to treat an attack on one signatory as an attack on all.
Andrabi said the pact was a “defensive framework aimed at safeguarding peace and promoting regional stability”, adding that any formal request to join would be considered in consultation with Riyadh and Ankara.
“The operationalisation of the MJDA, however, remains at an early stage,” he said.
