US Midterm Results Won’t Unravel Pakistan Ties
Pakistan will keep working to maintain close relations with the United States no matter which party holds power in Washington, the Foreign Office said on Friday, after the US midterm results handed the Democrats a sweep and dealt President Donald Trump a major political setback.
Foreign Office spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan told his weekly briefing in Islamabad that Pakistan viewed the United States as an important partner and would keep engaging with both sides of the political divide. He said Islamabad’s approach would stay guided by long-term strategic and economic interests rather than by political change in Washington.
“We have maintained excellent relations with all governments, irrespective of who is in power, and this will continue,” he said.
What the US midterm results mean for trade and security
Haider named trade, investment, security, counterterrorism and investment in minerals as the key areas of cooperation between the two countries.
Pakistan’s role in US-Iran mediation
The briefing also covered Pakistan’s continuing diplomatic efforts to stop a renewed escalation of the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran, amid concern over possible fresh military action against Tehran.
Haider said Pakistan had extended all possible facilitation in its capacity as an honest mediator. He described the signing of the Islamabad MoU as a major achievement, saying Pakistan had brought two countries that had not spoken to each other for 47 years to the negotiating table.
He added that peace could only be achieved through political dialogue rather than military confrontation. Mediation remained an ongoing process, he said, with Pakistan, Qatar and other regional countries playing active roles. Asked about potential spoilers, Haider named Israel as one of the actors undermining regional peace. “Well, you have mentioned one name yourself. There could be others, but I am sure that peace in the region is certainly not in Israel’s interest,” he said.
The mediation effort sits alongside warnings of a deepening crisis between Israel and the United States and debate in Washington over the Iran war.
LNG carrier struck near Strait of Hormuz
Haider also confirmed that a Pakistani-linked liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier had been struck by projectiles while passing through the Persian Gulf near the Strait of Hormuz, but said no crew members were hurt.
The vessel was the Al Maida, registered in the Marshall Islands, operated by QatarEnergy and carrying LNG destined for Karachi. It was hit last Friday night while travelling eastbound through the Persian Gulf in international waters, with 25 crew members from different countries, including Pakistanis, on board.
A small fire broke out, but all crew stayed unharmed and the vessel later returned safely to Qatar.
“The concerned Pakistani authorities are coordinating with the relevant parties to establish further details of the incident,” Haider said.
The attack fits a wider pattern of pressure on Gulf shipping, with Houthi missile attacks already targeting Saudi cities and iodine tablets handed out near Iran’s Bushehr nuclear plant.
Border trade and pilgrims
On the disruption of cross-border trade with Iran, Haider declined to give specifics despite repeated questions. He did clarify that there was no general ban on Pakistani pilgrims travelling to Iran by land, although recent security concerns and clashes along the border had disrupted their movement.
On a reported US plan to deport Afghan nationals through Pakistan, Haider said the matter was under consideration but stopped short of confirming arrivals or a final arrangement. “The matter is currently under consideration, and all relevant aspects are being carefully examined in consultation with the concerned stakeholders. We are hopeful that a mutually agreeable way forward will be reached,” he said, adding that he had not confirmed reports of arrivals by air.
Kartarpur and Indian pilgrims
The Foreign Office also restated Pakistan’s willingness to facilitate Indian religious pilgrims despite strained relations between the two neighbours.
Haider said Pakistan had issued 9,318 visas to Indian religious pilgrims in 2025, including 9,070 Sikh pilgrims and 248 Hindu pilgrims, and a further 4,002 to Sikh pilgrims in the first half of 2026.
“Pakistan welcomes pilgrims of all faiths and recognizes the deep spiritual significance that visits to religious sites hold for devotees and their families,” he said.
Preparations were under way to receive Sikh pilgrims for the 557th birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji at Nankana Sahib later this month. Haider said the Kartarpur Corridor remained open from Pakistan’s side, despite India suspending pilgrim movement through the crossing since May 2025, and that Pakistan remained ready to facilitate visa-free visits by up to 5,000 pilgrims daily under the 2019 agreement. Resumption depended on India’s decision. “It is now for India to decide whether it allows Indian Sikhs to undertake this religious pilgrimage to Kartarpur Sahib,” he said.
What did Pakistan say about the US midterm results?
The Foreign Office said Pakistan would continue to push for close relations with the United States irrespective of which party holds power in Washington, and would keep engaging with both sides of the political divide.
What are the main areas of Pakistan-US cooperation?
Trade, investment, security, counterterrorism and investment in minerals are the key areas named by the Foreign Office spokesperson at his weekly briefing.
What happened to the LNG carrier Al Maida?
The Marshall Islands-registered vessel, operated by QatarEnergy and carrying LNG for Karachi, was struck by projectiles last Friday night in the Persian Gulf near the Strait of Hormuz. A small fire broke out, but all 25 crew members were unharmed and the vessel returned safely to Qatar.
Is the Kartarpur Corridor open?
Pakistan says the corridor remains open from its side and it is ready to facilitate visa-free visits by up to 5,000 pilgrims a day under the 2019 agreement, but India has suspended pilgrim movement through the crossing since May 2025.
