POLITICS & POLICY MAKING
Pakistan’s Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar on Tuesday urged media organisations and social media users to exercise caution while discussing issues related to Pakistan’s foreign policy, citing concerns raised by friendly countries amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.
The minister made the remarks during a press conference alongside Information Minister Ataullah Tarar and Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudry.
The briefing came against the backdrop of the ongoing conflict involving Iran, which has been engaged in a war with the United States and Israel following Israeli strikes on February 28. The escalation has led to retaliatory actions by Iran, including strikes targeting neighbouring countries hosting US military bases, raising regional security concerns.
Addressing the situation, Tarar emphasised the importance of responsible discourse in both traditional and digital media.
“As a nation, we must keep in mind that when expressing our views, we have to keep the Constitution and Pakistan’s foreign policy under consideration,” he said.
The law minister revealed that analyses emerging from Pakistan had created unease in certain diplomatic circles. According to him, officials from at least one friendly country had raised concerns about whether some commentary circulating online represented the official stance of Pakistan or merely personal opinions.
“At the diplomatic level, questions have been raised about whether certain statements reflect Pakistan’s position or individual views,” Tarar said.
He reiterated that Pakistan had consistently called for diplomatic efforts to resolve tensions in the Middle East and had maintained a balanced and responsible approach.
“Pakistan is a responsible state and a nuclear state. It has a significant role in the region and maintains an independent identity and policy regarding its defence and foreign relations,” he added.
Tarar also referenced Article 19 of Pakistan’s Constitution, which guarantees freedom of expression while allowing reasonable restrictions under the law. He stressed that freedom of speech must not undermine national security, Pakistan’s integrity, the glory of Islam, or the country’s relations with friendly states.
“You have the fundamental right to freedom of expression, but you must remain mindful when it comes to the security and defence of Pakistan or its relations with friendly countries,” he said.
The minister warned against speculative debates about Pakistan aligning with specific regional powers, such as Iran or Gulf states. He emphasised that such matters fall within the purview of the state and should not be subject to public conjecture.
“Whether Pakistan is with Iran or what that would mean for its relations with countries like Saudi Arabia or the United Arab Emirates should not be speculated upon,” Tarar stated. “These decisions are the responsibility of the state.”
He urged citizens and commentators to maintain faith in the government’s decision-making processes, especially during sensitive geopolitical situations.
The law minister also noted that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had held multiple phone conversations with regional leaders in recent days as part of efforts to ease tensions and promote diplomatic solutions.
“Our aim is to coordinate with brotherly countries and play a constructive role in reducing tensions in the region,” he said.
Meanwhile, Information Minister Ataullah Tarar criticised certain online content creators for sensationalising foreign policy issues for views and engagement.
“Pakistan has a balanced foreign policy and maintains relations with Muslim countries across the region,” he said, urging commentators not to undermine that balance with personal interpretations.
He added that foreign policy matters should not be analysed in the same way as domestic political debates and emphasised the need for responsible journalism.
Responding to a question about whether any particular vlog or online commentary had harmed Pakistan’s relations with other countries, the law minister clarified that no diplomatic relationship had been affected.
“No relation has been impacted, and neither will it,” Tarar said. “We are only urging caution given the sensitivity of the situation.”
The government reiterated its call for responsible reporting and thoughtful analysis, stressing that careful communication was essential at a time of heightened regional tensions.
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