Pakistan Reaffirms No Permission for Use of Its Airspace Against Iran, Assists Stranded Students
Islamabad: Pakistan has reiterated that its airspace will not be used by any country for potential military action against Iran. During a briefing, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andarabi emphasized that Pakistan’s policy does not allow the use of its airspace against any neighboring country, neither in the past nor in the future. He recalled that during the U.S. attack on Iran in June 2025, Pakistan’s airspace was not used.
The Foreign Office also confirmed that the return of Pakistani students stranded in Iran is ongoing. A large number of students have already reached Gwadar, with arrangements in place to facilitate their safe return. On Wednesday, 54 students returned, while previously about two dozen students had come back. The Pakistani embassy in Afghanistan is also actively assisting in the repatriation of students from the region. Further details about returning students will be provided soon.
Tahir Andarabi highlighted that Pakistan is closely monitoring the situation in Iran and advocates for a peaceful resolution. He expressed confidence that Iran will soon stabilize its internal issues and return to normalcy. Pakistan has previously played a constructive role in Iran’s nuclear negotiations and intends to continue supporting regional stability.
The spokesperson also condemned violations of sovereignty, citing recent attacks on Somalia, and emphasized that Pakistan opposes any breach of international law and territorial integrity.
On diplomatic developments, Andarabi noted that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spoke with the Emir of Qatar, discussing mutual interests and agreeing to maintain close contacts, reflecting strong bilateral relations. Additionally, President Asif Ali Zardari is currently visiting Bahrain, where he met with senior officials to discuss bilateral cooperation and regional issues.
The Foreign Office stressed Pakistan’s commitment to regional stability, peaceful conflict resolution, and diplomacy, whether concerning Iran, global immigration policies, or relations with other countries.
