Pakistan urges dialogue on Iran in call with European Union’s vice president

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar shakes hands with EU Vice President Kaja Kallas (right) during the 7th Pakistan-EU Strategic Dialogue in Brussels, Belgium, on November 21, 2025. (MOFA/File)
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Updated 17 January 2026
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Pakistan urges dialogue on Iran in call with European Union’s vice president

  • Ishaq Dar, Kaja Kallas discuss regional tensions as Pakistan stresses diplomacy
  • Both officials also appreciate the ‘positive momentum’ in Pakistan-EU relations

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Friday emphasized the importance of dialogue and diplomacy while discussing the situation in Iran during a telephone call between Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and the European Union’s Vice President Kaja Kallas, according to the foreign office.

The call came amid heightened regional tensions linked to unrest in Iran, as European governments intensify scrutiny of Tehran’s response to protests and assess broader security risks.

“DPM/FM reaffirmed the importance of sustained dialogue and engagement,” the foreign office said, adding that both sides agreed to remain in close contact.

The statement added that Dar and Kallas welcomed the “positive momentum” in Pakistan-EU relations and discussed ways to further deepen bilateral cooperation.

European governments have in recent days condemned Iran’s crackdown to quell the anti-government protests that broke out last month over economic hardship and escalated into widespread demonstrations.

On Friday, the European Union’s aviation regulator urged airlines to avoid Iranian airspace, citing heightened risks linked to weapons systems, air-defense activity and the potential for misidentification amid elevated regional tensions, according to a Reuters report.

Pakistan has consistently called for restraint, dialogue and political solutions in regional crises, positioning diplomacy as a means to prevent escalation and protect regional stability.

Separately, Dar spoke with Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, the Pakistani foreign office said on Saturday. 

“They discussed the current situation in Iran and the wider region,” it said. “DPM/FM expressed hope for peace and stability, and both sides agreed to continue bilateral consultations on matters of mutual interest.”


Pakistan rejects claims it approached ICC for dialogue over India match boycott

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Pakistan rejects claims it approached ICC for dialogue over India match boycott

  • Indian journalist Vikrant Gupta says Pakistan approached ICC after it informed PCB of legal ramifications of boycotting India clash
  • Pakistan’s government has allowed national team to take part in ongoing World Cup but barred it from playing against India on Feb. 15

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) this week rejected an Indian journalist’s claim that it has approached the International Cricket Council (ICC) for a dialogue regarding Pakistan’s upcoming cricket fixture against India. 

Indian sports journalist Vikrant Gupta wrote on social media platform X on Saturday that the PCB has reached out to the ICC for dialogue over its decision to boycott the Feb. 15 T20 World Cup match against India. 

Gupta said the development took place after the ICC informed the PCB of the legal ramifications and potential sanctions the cricket governing body could impose if Pakistan boycotted its World Cup match against India. 

Gupta said the ICC was responding to the PCB, which had informed the global cricket governing body in writing that it was pulling out of the match as Pakistan’s government had not allowed the national team to play the Feb. 15 fixture. 

“I categorically reject the claim by Indian sports journalist Vikrant Gupta that PCB approached the ICC,” PCB spokesperson Amir Mir said in a statement on Saturday. 

“As usual, sections of Indian media are busy circulating fiction. A little patience and time will clearly show who actually went knocking and who didn’t.”

Pakistan’s government earlier this month cleared the team’s participation in the T20 World Cup but barred them from facing India in Colombo on Feb. 15.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif later said the decision was taken to express solidarity with Bangladesh, after it was replaced by the ICC in the ongoing tournament. 

ICC replaced Bangladesh with Scotland last month after the latter refused to play its World Cup matches in India due to security reasons. 

Pakistan has blamed India’s cricket board for influencing the ICC’s decisions. Defense Minister Khawaja Asif this week called for a the formation of a new cricket governing body, saying the ICC is now hostage to “India’s political interests.”

India generates the largest share of cricket’s commercial revenue and hence enjoys considerable influence over the sport. Critics argue that this financial contribution translates into decisive leverage within the ICC. 

A large part of that revenue comes from the Indian Premier League (IPL), the sport’s most lucrative T20 cricket competition, which is run by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Between 2024 and 2027, the IPL is projected to earn $1.15 billion, nearly 39 percent of the ICC’s total annual revenue, according to international media reports. 

The ICC is headed by Jay Shah, the son of Indian Home Minister Amit Shah. The ICC chair is expected to be independent from any cricket board and take impartial decisions.