Pakistani Ambassador: We are working to de-escalate tensions; our country is a partner with Kuwait in food security
The Pakistani Ambassador to Kuwait, Zafrar Iqbal, affirmed that his country is continuing its intensive diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions in the region and bring all parties back to the negotiating table, warning that any military confrontation would have serious repercussions for the entire region. He stressed that Pakistan will stand by Kuwait under all circumstances.
Speaking on the sidelines of the opening of the Pakistani Fruit Week in Kuwait, attended by a large gathering of accredited diplomats, Iqbal said that the Pakistani government is active at various levels to support efforts aimed at restoring regional stability, expressing optimism over positive signs regarding the resumption of the negotiation process. He pointed to recent statements indicating the possibility of a return to negotiations.
He clarified that the Pakistani Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister, alongside military leaders, are leading continuous efforts to de-escalate tensions, with ongoing communication and coordination with the Kuwaiti leadership. He noted that some of these communications are made public, while others are conducted discreetly.
He emphasized that relations between Kuwait and Pakistan are built on trust and brotherhood, confirming that Islamabad will continue to stand by Kuwait. He added that defense cooperation between the two countries dates back to the 1980s, encompassing military training programs, exchange of expertise, and technical cooperation. When asked about rumors regarding the potential deployment of Pakistani troops to Kuwait, he declined to comment, stating he had no information on any such arrangements.
On the economic front, the Pakistani Ambassador revealed that bilateral trade between Kuwait and Pakistan exceeded $1.5 billion this year. He explained that more than $1 billion of this figure represents Pakistan’s imports of Kuwaiti oil, while Pakistani exports to Kuwait reached a new record high despite regional challenges.
He noted that his country succeeded in maintaining the smooth flow of trade with Kuwait during recent periods of tension, considering Kuwait a partner in food security. This was achieved by establishing alternative shipping routes for goods following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, while shipments were routed through Saudi Arabia during the airspace closure, before direct shipping between the two countries returned to normal.
