Foreign Office says Islamabad actively engaging Saudi Arabia and UAE

Pakistan on Thursday reiterated its commitment to a diplomatic resolution of the dispute between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates over Yemen, emphasizing dialogue and restraint as tensions persist between two of Islamabad’s closest Gulf partners.

The remarks were made during the weekly media briefing by Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi, who said Pakistan was actively engaging with both Riyadh and Abu Dhabi to help ease tensions and promote diplomacy.

“We have been advocating peace and diplomacy to reach a solution. This is part of our exchanges taking place between our leadership and the leadership in Riyadh and Abu Dhabi,” Mr Andrabi said.

Tensions Escalate Over Yemen

The situation intensified on December 30 when Saudi Arabia carried out airstrikes on Yemen’s southern port city of Mukalla, targeting what it described as weapons and armoured vehicles allegedly supplied to the Southern Transitional Council (STC). No casualties were reported.

On the same day, the United Arab Emirates announced a voluntary withdrawal of its remaining counterterrorism units from Yemen.

Pakistan has so far maintained a carefully balanced diplomatic posture, seeking to avoid escalation while encouraging dialogue between the two Gulf allies.

High-Level Engagements and Multilateral Efforts

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on December 30 in Rahim Yar Khan during the Emirati leader’s private visit. Although officially focused on bilateral relations, the meeting was widely seen as part of Islamabad’s de-escalation efforts.

A day later, Prime Minister Shehbaz held a telephone conversation with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Mr Andrabi said Pakistan was also raising the issue through multilateral platforms, including the United Nations Security Council.

At the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, Pakistan has consistently advocated for a Yemeni-led and Yemeni-owned political process through peaceful means.

“This is the spirit in which we take our role as a mediator and facilitator to bring peace and prosperity for Yemen and its brotherly people,” the spokesperson said.

Pakistan, India Exchange Prisoners and Nuclear Lists

Meanwhile, Pakistan and India on Thursday exchanged lists of prisoners and nuclear installations, continuing long-standing confidence-building measures despite strained bilateral relations.

Mr Andrabi confirmed that Pakistan handed over a list of 257 Indian prisoners—58 civilians and 199 fishermen—currently held in Pakistan. He said the exchange was carried out under the 2008 Consular Access Agreement, which requires both countries to share such lists twice a year.

India, in turn, shared details of 391 civilian prisoners and 33 fishermen in its custody who are Pakistani or believed to be Pakistani.

The two sides also exchanged lists of nuclear installations and facilities under the Agreement on Prohibition of Attacks against Nuclear Installations and Facilities, aimed at reducing escalation risks between the nuclear-armed neighbours.

Pakistan Raises Concerns Over Dulhasti Stage-II Project

The Foreign Office also urged India to respond to formal queries regarding the proposed Dulhasti Stage-II hydropower project, saying New Delhi failed to share prior information as required under the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty.

Mr Andrabi said Pakistan had not been notified in advance about the project, describing the omission as a breach of international obligations.

“No prior information or notification was shared with Pakistan as mandated under the Indus Waters Treaty,” he said, calling on India to urgently return to treaty compliance.

The Dulhasti project is located on the Chenab River in India-held Jammu and Kashmir. While the original 390-megawatt Stage-I plant has operated since 2007, concerns emerged after India approved a 260MW Stage-II extension last month.

Pakistan’s Indus Waters Commissioner has formally sought details from his Indian counterpart, with Islamabad maintaining that the treaty remains legally binding.