- Economic recovery process reversed due to war in the Middle East: Asif.
- Defense Czar expresses hope for peace in region and beyond.
- Pakistan Helps Avoid Major Global Crisis, Defense Minister Says.
Defense Minister Khawaja Asif said on Saturday that Pakistan’s efforts in the ongoing mediation between the United States and Iran were gradually moving towards a “positive outcome”, expressing hope for peace in the region and beyond.
“We have slowly moved closer to a positive outcome in the US-Iran mediation,” the defense czar said. PK Press Club News in Sialkot.
According to Asif, the presence of Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and Chief of Defense Force (CDF) Field Marshal Asim Munir and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi in Iran “signaled that the matter was on the verge” of being resolved.
Field Marshal Munir landed in Tehran on Friday as Islamabad stepped up diplomatic efforts to help end the US-Israeli war against Iran.
During the visit – accompanied by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who was already in Tehran – Chief of Defense Forces (CDF) Munir met with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, President Masoud Pezeshkian and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf to discuss regional de-escalation and ongoing mediation efforts.
Pakistan has emerged as a key mediator between Washington and Tehran after six weeks of fighting that began on February 28, with Islamabad playing a central role in ceasefire negotiations and backroom diplomacy.
The war in the Middle East erupted after the United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes against Iran, prompting Tehran to retaliate by attacking American bases in the region and closing the Strait of Hormuz.
Hostilities ended on April 8 when Pakistan facilitated a two-week ceasefire, followed by direct negotiations between the United States and Iran in its capital between April 11 and 12.
The talks, however, ended without agreement on a permanent end to the conflict, with the two sides at odds over a number of issues, including Tehran’s blockade of Hormuz and its missile and nuclear programs.
Despite the impasse, Islamabad continued its mediation efforts between Tehran and Washington and also helped extend the ceasefire.
Meanwhile, the defense minister said Pakistan was helping prevent a major global crisis and expressed optimism about the success of the country’s diplomatic efforts.
Speaking on domestic issues, Asif acknowledged the impact of inflation on ordinary citizens, saying people with limited resources faced the greatest difficulties in the face of rising prices.
“We were in a recovery phase, but because of this war, our economy suffered a lot,” he said, adding that the recovery process was not only stalled, but also reversed.
