Pakistan, Russia agree to make joint efforts for regional peace

• FM Qureshi told his Russian counterpart that the rising tension in Middle East could cause a severe blow to regional peace.

Pakistan and Russia agreed on Friday to launch joint efforts to restore peace in the region following the current tension between the United States and Iran after Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani was killed in a US drone strike.

During a phone call today, the Foreign Minister of Russia Sergei Lavrov and FM Shah Mahmood Qureshi discussed the overall situation in the region as well as the recent soaring tensions in the Middle East. During their call, FM Qureshi told Lavrov that the increasing tensions could cause a severe blow to regional peace.

Qureshi further said that both sides have to show restraint in order to de-escalate the situation, local media reported. Reiterating Pakistan's principled stance, Qureshi made it clear that Pakistan will neither be a party to any new conflict in the region nor will its land be used against any regional or neighbouring country.

Prime Minister Imran Khan had instructed Qureshi to visit Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United States and meet with respective foreign ministers, and the US secretary of state. "I have asked FM Qureshi to visit Iran, KSA and USA to meet with respective foreign ministers, Secretary of State; And COAS General Bajwa to contact relevant military leaders to convey a clear message: Pakistan is ready to play it's role for peace but it can never again be part of any war," the prime minister tweeted.