Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has said that Pakistan is actively playing a diplomatic role to reduce rising tensions in the region, but recent developments have dealt a serious blow to peace efforts.
Addressing the Senate, the foreign minister said he had been very hopeful until last night, but recent dangerous developments have once again escalated the situation. Just as both sides were close to sitting at the negotiating table, Israel attacked Iran, after which Iran targeted oil installations in Jubail, Saudi Arabia. This situation has severely damaged the peace process.
Dar said Pakistan is the only Muslim country that openly condemned the attack on Iran. When the US carried out strikes on Iran, he was in Saudi Arabia and contacted the Iranian foreign minister from Madinah to convey Pakistan’s position.
According to the foreign minister, Pakistan immediately decided to engage all key countries in the region and acted as a facilitator for a ceasefire.
He said both sides accepted Pakistan’s mediation and agreed to hold talks in Islamabad. Pakistan does not seek recognition or credit, but aims solely to establish peace in the region. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir made significant efforts in this regard, while he himself also played an active role as foreign minister.
Dar further stated that Pakistan conveyed a 15-point set of US conditions to Iran, and relayed Iran’s five-point proposals to the US, resulting in progress and improved prospects for a ceasefire.
He added that Pakistan also consulted with China and other countries on the peace agenda, and the international community, including the UN Secretary-General, has appreciated Pakistan’s role.
Dar said Pakistan has been given a unique position and will continue fulfilling its responsibility to promote peace in the region.
