PM Shehbaz has welcomed Iran’s willingness to assist in easing escalating Pakistan-India Tensions following a telephonic conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Saturday evening, according to a report by Tehran’s state news agency, IRNA.

Tensions Soar After Deadly Pahalgam Attack

The Attack and Its Aftermath

The dialogue between the two leaders comes at a time of heightened friction between their two South Asian neighbours after a deadly attack in the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir. At least 26 people, most of them visitors, were killed in Pahalgam after a savage attack started by gunmen on April 22. Said to be the worst attack in the area since 2000, the incident was carried out by a little-known group known as The Resistance Front (TRF), which claimed responsibility for the attack.

Diplomatic Afterglow| Pakistan-India Tensions

The aftermath of the incident has witnessed a sharp rise in hostility. India suspended the decades-old Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), a vital pact controlling the distribution of water resources between the two countries, accusing cross-border groups of violence. Denying any participation in the incident, Pakistan replied by threatening to suspend the Simla Agreement and consider blocking its airspace to Indian aircraft—actions that run the risk of aggravating already unstable conditions.

Pakistan Declares Again Its Dedication to Peace in Pakistan-India Tensions |Pakistan-India Tensions

Pakistan’s Oppression Against Terrorism

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif confirmed Pakistan’s dedication to regional peace and stability during his talk with President Pezeshkian. He welcomed Iran’s readiness to help mediate between Pakistan and India, should Iran wish to play a role and solve Pakistan-India Tensions. The Prime Minister stressed that Pakistan condemns terrorism in all its forms and firmly denied any connection to the attack in Pahalgam.

“Pakistan condemns all forms of terrorism and has no connection to the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, located in the India-held Kashmir region,” the Prime Minister’s office stated.

Emphasising Pakistan’s long-standing suffering due to terrorism, Shehbaz Sharif highlighted that the country has lost thousands of lives and spent billions of dollars over the past two decades fighting this scourge.

Call for a Transparent Investigation

Moreover, Prime Minister Sharif expressed Pakistan’s willingness to participate in a transparent and impartial investigation into the Pahalgam attack. He stressed that Pakistan’s track record as a major victim of terrorism underlines its commitment to rooting out violence and extremism, both at home and in the wider region.

Strong Reaction Against Indian Suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty |Pakistan-India Tensions

Turning now to India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, Prime Minister Sharif denounced India’s action to “weaponise water” as “unacceptable”. Framing the problem as a crucial issue of national security and survival, he promised Pakistan would defend its rights over shared water resources at all costs.

Pakistan Expresses Solidarity with Iran

Support After Shahid Rajaee Port Incident

Apart from talking about regional conflicts, Prime Minister Sharif also expressed solidarity with Iran over the recent explosion at Shahid Rajaee Port, a main Iranian port. Emphasising the close connections and mutual support between the two neighbouring nations, the prime minister provided Pakistan’s cooperation to Tehran in handling the aftermath of the incident.

Improving Bilateral Ties

In response, President Pezeshkian thanked Prime Minister Sharif for his expression of solidarity and noted Pakistan’s ongoing initiatives towards regional peace and security. The Iranian official commended Islamabad’s diplomatic approach and voiced hope for more extensive future collaboration between the two nations.

The discussion came to a formal visit invitation exchange at last. While the Pakistani official offered the Iranian president to fly to Pakistan, President Pezeshkian encouraged Prime Minister Sharif to visit Iran. These diplomatic actions imply a shared desire to enhance bilateral relations even in the middle of regional unrest.

Iran’s Mediation Offer: Another Chance for Communication?

Iran’s willingness to arbitrate in the longest-standing dispute in South Asia comes at a sensitive period. Since Pakistan and India gained independence in 1947, the Kashmir conflict has been a persistent flashpoint between the two countries, fuelling wars and numerous skirmishes. Terrorist events, political unrest, and firmly ingrained mistrust have sometimes hindered efforts at communication.

Iran’s offer is notable as Iran maintains historical relations with both Pakistan and India. Given that both Pakistan and India are nuclear-armed nations, any escalation affects the world, and the international community has consistently pushed for moderation and communication.

The Road Ahead

If allowed to run unbridled, the present tensions will not just lead to regional destabilisation but also potentially compromise more general international efforts aimed at the prosperity and security of South Asia. In this regard, diplomatic actions by friendly countries like Iran could be rather important in promoting communication and de-escalation.

Despite the provocations, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s support of Iran’s mediatory role indicates Pakistan’s inclination for diplomatic answers over military escalation. Islamabad’s posture shows a larger awareness that the future prosperity of the area depends on stability and cooperation instead of confrontation.

The focus will still be on how Pakistan and India react to these overtures and whether communication can overcome antagonism as the matter develops. The Pakistan-India Tensions have to be solved for peace between both countries. Pakistan-India tensions continue to be a major hurdle in achieving lasting peace and development across South Asia.

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