Pakistan, Indonesia, and Malaysia jointly urged all parties involved in the Middle East crisis to exercise “maximum restraint,” officials said Thursday. The calls come amid escalating tensions after U.S. and Israeli strikes killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and senior officials. Retaliatory attacks by Iran across the Gulf have disrupted business, air travel, and key ports.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held separate phone conversations with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. Leaders expressed deep concern over worsening regional developments and emphasized the need for diplomacy, dialogue, and adherence to international law. They agreed to coordinate closely in the coming days.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif held a telephone conversation today with H.E. Prabowo Subianto, President of Indonesia.
The two leaders expressed their deep concern over the escalating crisis in the Middle East. The Prime Minister strongly condemned Israel’s attacks on… pic.twitter.com/8y8Aojelwx
— PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) March 5, 2026
Read more: Pakistan ramps up diplomacy amid Middle East crisis
PM Shehbaz condemned Israel’s attacks on Iran and the subsequent strikes on Gulf nations. He briefed both leaders on Pakistan’s ongoing diplomatic efforts to support Gulf countries and manage regional stability, stressing the importance of peace and swift restoration of normalcy.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Prime Minister Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim of Malaysia, spoke on telephone.
The two leaders agreed that restoration of peace and a swift return to normalcy was essential, but this could be achieved only through exercise of maximum restraint… pic.twitter.com/iuTqDY479G
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) March 5, 2026
The discussions also covered Afghanistan, where Pakistan is conducting Operation Ghazab Lil Haq against the Afghan Taliban and terrorist groups. Leaders reaffirmed the need to maintain coordination on regional security, counter-terrorism, and mutual interests to prevent spillover effects from Middle East conflicts.
Read more: PM Shehbaz directs Gulf embassies to aid Pakistanis
Separately, Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar spoke with British and Canadian counterparts, urging de-escalation, restraint, and diplomatic engagement. Officials emphasized that all states’ sovereignty and territorial integrity must be respected to ensure lasting peace in the Middle East.