Pakistan has clarified its position on US sanctions against Iran, saying it will continue to follow all applicable sanctions regimes in accordance with international and domestic law.
Foreign Office spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan made the statement during the weekly media briefing when asked about Pakistan’s position on the latest US sanctions against Iran.
“Pakistan is a responsible member of the international community and adheres, and shall continue to adhere, to all applicable sanctions regimes in accordance with international and domestic laws,” the spokesperson said.
The wording is important because the Foreign Office did not specify which sanctions Pakistan considers legally or practically applicable. It therefore should not be read as an announcement that Pakistan has automatically adopted every unilateral US sanction against Iran.
Pakistan has also not announced a suspension of trade with Iran or a decision to join the US sanctions campaign.
At the same briefing, the Foreign Office reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to a rules-based international system rooted in multilateralism and international law.
Islamabad also emphasised its relationship with Washington, saying Pakistan values its strategic partnership with the United States and remains committed to strengthening diplomatic, economic and security ties.
At the same time, Pakistan continues to present itself as a mediator in communication between the United States and Iran.
The Foreign Office said Pakistan believes both sides should exercise restraint, resolve outstanding issues through dialogue and diplomacy and honour their respective commitments under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding.
That leaves Pakistan balancing several considerations: its relationship with the United States, its ties with neighbouring Iran, its international legal obligations and the practical effect that sanctions can have on banks and businesses operating through the global financial system.
US sanctions can have consequences beyond American companies because foreign financial institutions may face restrictions when dealing with sanctioned Iranian entities, particularly where access to the US financial system or dollar-based transactions is involved.
The Foreign Office’s latest wording gives Islamabad room to account for those legal and financial risks without declaring that all US unilateral sanctions are automatically binding on Pakistan.
For Pakistani businesses and banks, the practical impact will depend on which Iranian entities and transactions are affected and how Pakistani regulators apply domestic law and international obligations.
Pakistan’s stated position remains that diplomacy and restraint are the preferred route for resolving the wider US-Iran confrontation.