ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday condemned recent attacks on Kuwait and reaffirmed Pakistan’s solidarity with the Gulf state, Sharif's office said, amid an ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
The conflict, which began with US-Israeli strikes on Iran on Feb. 28, has seen US and Israeli forces pound Iran and Tehran continue counterstrikes against US interests as well as oil and other infrastructure in the Gulf.
Islamabad has repeatedly urged all sides to exercise restraint and has been trying to mediate the conflict between the US and Iran, which following failure of talks on Tehran's nuclear program.
Sharif on Friday spoke with Kuwaiti Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al Khaled Al Hamad Al Sabah and reiterated Pakistan’s strong condemnation of the attacks on Kuwait, according to the Pakistan PM's office.
"The Prime Minister also apprised the Kuwaiti leadership of Pakistan’s sincere diplomatic efforts to bring an end to the war in the Middle East," Sharif's office said.
"While expressing deep appreciation of the Prime Minister’s leadership, the Crown Prince of Kuwait fully endorsed Pakistan’s efforts for mediation between Iran and the US."
The statement came hours after Iran's Revolutionary Guards urged civilians across the Middle East to stay away from areas near US forces, ramping up threats despite President Donald Trump's claim talks to end the month-long war were "going well."
The Guards' warning came after Trump again extended a deadline for Tehran to open the Strait of Hormuz or face the destruction of its energy assets, pushing it from Friday to April 6.
The Kuwaiti crown prince thanked PM Sharif for Pakistan’s support to Kuwait in the current crisis.
"The Prime Minister thanked the Crown Prince and assured him that Pakistan would continue to play a constructive role for bringing peace and stability in the region," Sharif's office added.
