- DPM Dar says Pakistan is acting cautiously in its mediation role.
- PM and CDF remain engaged in diplomatic efforts: Dar.
- Prolonged conflict could impact oil, economy: DPM.
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar on Tuesday accused Israel of seeking to derail Islamabad’s efforts to facilitate ceasefire talks between the United States and Iran by launching an attack on Tehran just as the two sides were preparing to engage.
“A major Israeli attack on Iran and the subsequent strike on Jubail in Saudi Arabia have made the situation more dangerous and sensitive,” he said while briefing the Senate on the current regional situation in the Middle East and Islamabad’s mediation efforts.
Pakistan has become a key mediator in one of the region’s worst conflicts, which erupted after the joint US-Israeli attacks on Iran on February 28.
The war has since led to a sharp increase in global fuel and energy costs, triggered by Tehran’s effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
Speaking in the Upper House on the current situation in the Middle East, DPM Dar, who also holds the portfolio of Foreign Minister, thanked Senator Raja Nasir Abbas, Leader of the Opposition, for recognizing the government’s efforts and said that Pakistan remained actively engaged from the beginning of the crisis.
He said that when the first attack on Iran took place, he was in Medina after attending an OIC meeting and immediately contacted the Foreign Ministry, ordering it to strongly condemn the Israeli attack on a sovereign country.
FM Dar said he also established immediate contact with the Iranian foreign minister and conveyed Pakistan’s support and sympathy to him, assuring him that Islamabad would make efforts to rally regional countries for de-escalation.
He said Pakistan had since remained in constant contact with countries in the region and beyond, including China, Japan, the United Kingdom, Canada and several European states, in a bid to promote restraint and prevent escalation.
The DPM said Pakistan had worked as a facilitator and mediator and should proceed cautiously so as not to undermine sensitive diplomatic efforts.
He said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Chief of Defense Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs remained fully engaged in the diplomatic process.
DPM Dar said Saudi Arabia hosted a 12-country meeting on March 19 in Riyadh on the issue, during which Pakistan represented its position and helped secure a balanced joint statement, including condemning Israel.
He said a group of four countries including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Turkey and Pakistan had also worked for peace and its follow-up meeting, initially scheduled in Istanbul, was later shifted to Islamabad.
FM Dar further informed the Senate that the foreign ministers of the three countries visited Pakistan on March 29, where bilateral meetings as well as a quadrilateral meeting were held as part of efforts to advance peace diplomacy.
He added that Pakistan had also engaged China at a high level and during his visit there on March 31, the two sides discussed a five-point peace initiative for the region, which was later made public.
Dar said the United Nations Secretary General also called him to appreciate Pakistan’s role and offer support for its peace efforts.
He said Pakistan tried until the last moment to create space for a pause and meaningful engagement between the sides, but regretted that new developments had further complicated the situation.
He warned that a prolonged conflict in the region could have serious consequences for the rest of the world as well as Pakistan, including on oil prices and the economy.
The Deputy Prime Minister expressed hope that diplomatic efforts would ultimately help restore peace to the region and lead to a dignified resolution to the conflict.
