Pakistan has signalled a cautious shift in its public approach to newly imposed US sanctions on Iran, adopting language that places domestic legal requirements alongside its international obligations and trade ties with Tehran.
Sajjad Haider Khan, the Foreign Office spokesperson, said on Thursday: “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 wording is broader than the position previously set out by Tahir Andrabi, then the Foreign Office spokesperson. On trade with Iran, Andrabi had said: “About trade with Iran, Pakistan is following international law and our bilateral trade agreements with Iran”.
The newer formulation introduces two elements absent from that earlier statement: “all applicable sanctions regimes” and “domestic law”. It places Pakistan’s dealings with Iran within a wider compliance framework than one centred on international law and bilateral commitments.
The change matters because US secondary sanctions can affect foreign financial institutions that continue dealings covered by US measures. Such institutions can face restrictions on access to the US financial system, including correspondent or payable through accounts.
Pakistan’s statement does not set out specific domestic laws that would apply, any enforcement measures, or a timetable for implementation. It also does not identify Pakistani financial institutions that may face exposure, describe coordination with US authorities, or state how existing Iran-Pakistan trade arrangements may be affected.
The position nevertheless reflects the practical tension between Pakistan’s bilateral relationship and trade agreements with Iran and the risks created by US financial pressure. By referring to domestic law as well as international obligations, the Foreign Office has indicated that Pakistani institutions may be expected to consider those risks in their engagement with Iran.
There is precedent for sanctions being enforced through international financial arrangements. SWIFT is incorporated under Belgian law and has previously disconnected Iranian banks to comply with European sanctions.
Whether Pakistan’s new language produces concrete action remains unknown. The Foreign Office statement does not say whether private-sector companies will comply beyond official requirements, or whether trade with Iran will continue under altered arrangements.
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