ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Monday vowed that Pakistan would not become party to any regional conflict and its “soil will not be used against any other state,” as tensions are rising in the Middle East that have broken out following the killing of Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani by a US airstrike in Baghdad.

In his policy statement at the Senate, the minister also urged all parties to exercise maximum restraint amid the “very sensitive, fluid and concerning” situation and called on the United Nations and international community to play their role.

“The United Nations should play its role to deescalate the situation in the Middle East and help putting out this fire,” Qureshi said, adding that if the Middle East was pushed into another war, it would be disastrous for Pakistan and the whole region.

“Pakistan backs principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity as enshrined in the UN charter,” he said.

“I have even urged Iran to exercise traditional wisdom and refrain from any escalatory measures in the larger interest of the region,” the minister said while referring to his telephonic conversation with the Iranian counterpart after the incident.

Meanwhile, Pakistan is trying its best to ensure that the regional peace and stability remain intact, and to steer the region out of “this problematic and painful situation,” Religious Affairs Minister Noor-ul-Haq Qadri told Arab News.

“Pakistan is trying to mediate in its own capacity and a high-level consultation meeting in this regard will take place today (Monday),” he said, adding that Prime Minister Imran Khan “is using his personal relations with other friendly countries to find a peaceful solution to the issue.”