Tehran (Agencies): Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said that Pakistan will not join any war but will continue to play a vibrant and positive role for establishment of lasting peace in the region.
During a meeting with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in Tehran, Qureshi emphasised the importance of “maximum restraint and immediate steps for de-escalation” by all sides involved in the prevailing Middle East tensions.
"Pakistan would not allow its territory to be used against anyone; nor would Pakistan be a part of any war or conflict in the region," the FO quoted the foreign minister as saying.
The foreign minister had embarked on a two-nation visit to Tehran and Riyadh on the directives of Prime Minister Imran Khan after recent developments that followed the killing of top Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani in a US airstrike.
Qureshi called on Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and Foreign Minister Javad Zarif separately.
On the second leg of his trip, Qureshi will visit Saudi Arabia.
Tensions between Tehran and Washington after US forces killed Iran’s most revered military commander Maj Gen Qassem Suleimani in a drone strike near Baghdad airport on Jan 3, while in revenge Tehran attacked two US military bases in Iraq with missiles five days later. Though the two countries have apparently stood down, tension is still running high in the region.