ISLAMABAD: As Pakistan and India teeter on the brink of war, Islamabad has decided to seek an immediate session of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to apprise the world powers about recent tensions with India, which pose a serious threat to peace in the region and beyond.

The decision to approach the UN came amid a diplomatic push by Pakistan to amplify its narrative about the Pahalgam incident and apprise the world leaders of hostile actions, such as the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, taken by India to aggravate tensions.

On Sunday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif talked to his Malaysian counterpart, while Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar spoke to the Malaysian as well as Russian foreign ministers, a day ahead of Iran`s foreign minister`s arrival in Islamabad to discuss the same matter.

In a statement, the Foreign Office said FM Dar has issued directions to Pakistan`s permanent representative to United Nations Ambassador Asim Iftikhar to take immediate steps for the UNSC session. The instructions came two days after Ambassador Iftikhar said Pakistan was closely following the situation stemming from India`s aggressive moves in the wake of the Pahalgam attack and would seek a UN Security Council meeting at an appropriate time.

`This important diplomatic move is part of Pakistan`s efforts to present true facts before the international commu-nity,` the statement said, adding that Pakistan decided to formally brief the UNSC on the latest situation in the region as well as India`s aggressive steps and provocative statements. It said Pakistan would specifically highlight the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty by India.

Last week, Greece, which is the president of the UN Security Council for May, said that the Security Council was expected to meet `sooner rather than later` to discuss the situation between India and Pakistan.`Of course, if a request comes for a meeting then... I think this meeting should take place because, as we said, maybe it`s also an opportunity to have views expressed, and this might help to diffuse a bit of tension. We will see, Permanent Representative of Greece to the UN and President of the Security Council for the month of May, Ambassador Evangelos Sekeris, had said.

Shehbaz-Ibrahim talk Separately, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a telephone conversation with Prime Minister of Malaysia Anwar Ibrahim on Sunday. During the call, PM Shehbaz shared Pakistan`s serious concerns over the prevailing tensions in South Asia as a result of India`s provocative behaviour since the Pahalgam incident.

He categorically rejected any attempts to link Pakistan to the incident and reiterated Pakistan`s offer for an international, transparent, credible and neutral investigation to be carried out to ascertain the facts behind this incident. He said Pakistan would welcome Malaysia`s participation in this investigation.

While stressing that Pakistan had always condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, the premier highlighted Pakistan`s role as a frontline state in the war against terror and its tremendous sacrifices in this effort. India`s actions were dis-tracting Pakistan from its counterterrorism efforts on its western border, he added. He emphasised that it was unthinkable for Pakistan to get involved in such a controversy, particularly at a time when the country had just emerged from a serious economic crisis and was back on the path towards economic stability.

Later, Prime Minister Shehbaz also held a meeting with PML-N President Nawaz Sharif in Lahore and apprised his elder brother about the latest situation amid Pak-India tensions.

Diplomacy front As the flurry of diplomatic activity continues in the aftermath of recent steps taken by India, Iran Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi will arrive on an official visit to Pakistan today (Monday) toexchange views on recent regional developments.

During the visit, Foreign Minister Araghchi will call on President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.

`This high-level visit reflects the deep-rooted and strong relationship between Pakistan and the brotherly nation of Iran. It also underscores the two countries` shared commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation across all areas of mutual interest. The two sides will also exchange views on regional and global developments,` a statement issued by the Foreign Office said. It may be noted that the Iranian FM is also likely to visit India after Pakistan.

In another related development, FM Dar held a telephone conversation with MalaysianForeign Minister Mohamad Hasan. Mr Dar briefed him on the current regional developments.

He categorically rejected India`s provocative actions and underscored Pakistan`s commitment to regional peace and security, while reserving the right to safeguard its sovereignty and national interest.

FM Hasan supported Pakistan`s position and called for restraint by all parties. Both leaders agreed to maintain close contact on the evolving situation. In a separate development, FM Dar talked to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and discussed recent regional tension due to the Pakistan-India standoff.

FM Lavrov expressed concern over the situation and stressed diplomacy to resolve issues. He said both sides should exercise restraint and avoid escalation.