Pakistan: We are intensifying de-escalation efforts in coordination with Kuwait

Ambassador Zafrar Iqbal:

- The strategic partnership between the two countries is robust across various vital sectors.

- Defense cooperation with Kuwait has been ongoing since the 1980s, with continuous training programs and exchange of expertise.

- Any military confrontation would have serious repercussions for the entire region.

- Mitigating the impacts of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz through alternative routes and resuming direct shipping.

- We will always stand by Kuwait... as bilateral relations are built on trust and brotherhood.

- Bilateral trade has exceeded $1.5 billion... with record-breaking Pakistani exports.

Dr. Zafrar Iqbal, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to Kuwait, affirmed that his country is intensifying 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 severe repercussions for the entire region.

Speaking on the sidelines of the opening of the "Pakistani Fruit Week" at the Capital Complex on Saturday, the Pakistani Ambassador expressed optimism over positive signs indicating a resumption of the negotiation process, emphasizing continued coordination and consultation with the State of Kuwait amidst the close ties binding the two nations.

He added that Kuwaiti-Pakistani relations are witnessing continuous development across various levels, noting that the organization of the event reflects the depth of friendship between the two countries and opens new horizons to enhance commercial and investment cooperation, particularly in the field of food security.

"When we speak of fruit, we are in fact speaking of friendship. When we bring Pakistani fruit to Kuwait, we bring with it the feelings of affection that bind our two countries. Relations between Kuwait and Pakistan are very strong, and Kuwaitis are well aware of the quality of Pakistani products, but we were keen to introduce them to more distinguished varieties," he stated.

He clarified that the current event follows a previous one organized a few weeks prior, but this week is dedicated entirely to Pakistani fruit. He noted that six or seven of the best varieties of Pakistani mangoes would be displayed, which are considered among the finest mangoes in the world.

The Ambassador affirmed that his country possesses significant potential that can contribute to supporting Kuwait’s food security, explaining that both nations are already working to enhance cooperation in this field. Pakistan is capable of providing agricultural land on a lease basis to Kuwaiti investors. He stated that a Kuwaiti investor could lease agricultural land in Pakistan to produce various food crops, either to meet Kuwaiti market needs or to export surpluses to other markets, emphasizing that this represents a promising investment opportunity for both sides.

He called on Kuwaiti investors to seriously consider the Pakistani market, clarifying that Pakistan is not only a vast market with over 250 million people but also serves as a suitable hub for production and re-export to many regional and international markets.

He added that Kuwait’s limited population size makes agricultural investment in Pakistan a suitable option to enhance food security, affirming that achieving food security is a shared responsibility between the two countries.

Regarding trade, the Pakistani Ambassador revealed that the volume of bilateral trade between the two countries exceeded $1.5 billion this year. He explained that more than $1 billion of this figure relates to the oil sector, as Pakistan imports oil from Kuwait, while non-oil Kuwaiti exports are witnessing noticeable growth.

He pointed out that Pakistani exports to Kuwait recorded a new record high this year, despite the disturbances in the region, emphasizing that this achievement was realized thanks to continuous coordination with Kuwaiti authorities.

He clarified that his country managed to overcome the restrictions imposed by developments related to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz by establishing alternative corridors for transporting goods to Kuwait, which contributed to the uninterrupted flow of commodities.

He added that during the period of airspace closure, shipments reached Kuwait via the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, whereas currently, direct shipping traffic between Pakistan and Kuwait has returned to normal.

The Ambassador expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the Government of the State of Kuwait, under the leadership of His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, for the measures and regulations adopted to ensure the continuous availability of goods in the markets. He emphasized that consumers in Kuwait did not experience any shortage of products despite the regional circumstances.

Regarding security developments in the region, Zafar Iqbal affirmed that the Pakistani government is actively engaging in diplomacy to de-escalate tensions and bring all parties back to the negotiating table, expressing optimism about the possibility of making progress in this regard.

He pointed to recent positive indicators regarding the resumption of the negotiation process, noting that US President Donald Trump also spoke about the potential return of negotiations, expressing his hope that peace and stability would prevail in the region.

He stressed that any military escalation would not be confined to a single country but would have serious repercussions for the entire region, which drives Pakistan to continue its diplomatic efforts to prevent the situation from worsening.

He added that some of these communications are announced in the media, while others remain behind the scenes, emphasizing that trust-based relations between the two countries necessitate continued coordination under all circumstances.

In response to a question about the possibility of sending Pakistani troops to Kuwait, Ambassador Iqbal stated that he could not comment on the matter due to his lack of information regarding any such measures or arrangements.

At the same time, he affirmed that defense cooperation between Kuwait and Pakistan is strong and mature, dating back to the 1980s, noting the continuation of military training programs, exchange of expertise, and technical cooperation between the two countries in various fields of mutual interest.

Concluding his statement, the Pakistani Ambassador emphasized that Pakistan will always stand by Kuwait, saying, “Brothers stand by each other in times of hardship, and we stand with Kuwait. The relations binding our countries are based on trust and brotherhood, and we will continue to provide all we can to support Kuwait and its people.”