Calls for respect for the principles of the United Nations Charter, including respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on Sunday that the foreign ministers of Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Egypt expressed their full support for dialogue and diplomacy as the only viable path to a “rapid and permanent end” to the conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran.
Speaking to the press on the quadrilateral meeting of foreign ministers, Dar described the meeting as a “very detailed and in-depth discussion” on the current situation in the Middle East.
He said the foreign ministers emphasized dialogue and diplomacy as the only means to prevent conflicts and promote regional peace and harmony. “We call for respect for the principles of the United Nations Charter, including respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all,” he added.
The ministers also expressed concern about the devastating impact of the ongoing conflict on lives and livelihoods in the region. “We agreed that this war would not benefit anyone and would only lead to death and destruction,” Dar said.
He briefed the visiting foreign ministers on the prospects of possible negotiations between the United States and Iran in Islamabad. “The visiting ministers expressed their full support for this initiative and reaffirmed their unity to contain the situation, reduce the risk of military escalation and create conditions for structured negotiations between the parties concerned,” he said.
Dar further noted that the ministers discussed ways to strengthen mutual cooperation between the brotherly countries.
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistan has maintained regular engagement with its regional and international partners. “We have remained actively involved in all efforts to end this conflict,” he said.
Terming Pakistan-US relations as “very important”, Dar said Islamabad remains in active dialogue with US leaders to help de-escalate the situation and find a peaceful solution.
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“In this context, Pakistan is pleased that Iran and the United States have expressed confidence in Pakistan’s ability to facilitate negotiations. Pakistan will be honored to host meaningful negotiations between the two sides in the coming days for a comprehensive and lasting settlement of the conflict,” he added.
He added that he also had several telephone conversations with counterparts around the world, all of whom expressed their full support and confidence in Pakistan’s efforts. “All our partners strongly appreciate and support Pakistan’s initiatives. We will continue our efforts with sincerity and commitment,” he said.
Dar noted a detailed telephone discussion with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who fully supports Pakistan’s initiative to host US-Iran talks, as well as a conversation with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who also expressed support for the peace initiative.
The Foreign Minister stressed the importance of Muslim unity in these difficult times. “The unity of the Muslim Ummah in these circumstances is of utmost importance,” he said.
In his concluding remarks, Dar called on the international community to pray and support to ensure the success of Pakistan’s efforts to achieve peace and bring a permanent end to the war.
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According to ReutersDuring the talks, initial discussions focused on proposals to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to shipping, sources familiar with the matter said.
Foreign ministers from the three regional powers landed in Islamabad for the talks as Iran warned the United States against launching a ground attack and global oil prices soared amid continued fighting between Iran, the United States and Israel.
Countries meeting in Pakistan have submitted proposals to Washington related to maritime traffic and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, said five sources familiar with the matter. Reutersas part of broader efforts to stabilize maritime flows.
The Strait of Hormuz was previously a conduit for about a fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas supplies, but Iran effectively cut off maritime flows through it in response to U.S. and Israeli airstrikes that began a month ago.
Proposals on reopening Hormuz
Pakistan, which like Turkey borders Iran, has leveraged its close ties with Tehran and Washington to become a key diplomatic channel in the conflict, while Ankara and Cairo have also played a role.
A Pakistani source said proposals, including those from Egypt, had been conveyed to the White House by the countries before Sunday’s meeting and included Suez Canal-style fee structures.
Two other Pakistani sources said Turkey, Egypt and Saudi Arabia could form a consortium to manage oil flows through the waterway, and asked Pakistan to participate. The first Pakistani source said Islamabad had not been formally invited to join and maintains it will not do so.
The proposal for a management consortium was discussed with the United States and Iran, the sources said.
A Turkish diplomatic source said Ankara’s priority was to secure a ceasefire. “Ensuring safe passage of ships could be an important confidence-building measure in this regard,” the person said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
