- An end to the war in the Middle East is necessary for the region and the world at large: Dar.
- DPM Dar hopes Islamabad talks will end “soon”.
- Dar says the goal is a “dignified” end to the Middle East conflict.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Tuesday expressed hope that Pakistan’s mediation efforts to end the US-Iran conflict will succeed at the earliest, calling it a necessity for the region and the world at large.
“Whatever has happened so far, it has already significantly reduced global GDP,” he told foreign ambassadors and the diplomatic corps in Islamabad, asserting that ending the Middle East conflict was Pakistan’s “aim and aim” as facilitator and mediator.
DPM Dar said Islamabad was actively working to engage the United States and Iran to negotiate a peaceful settlement of their differences, adding that the country had always supported stability and restraint in the Middle East.
DPM Dar highlighted Islamabad’s global diplomatic move towards a resolution of the conflict, saying it had discussed the issue with around 120 counterparts around the world since the start of the war.
These interactions, he said, reflect Pakistan’s seriousness in its efforts to get the United States and Iran to reach a truce and end the conflict.
Pakistan became a key mediator between Washington and Tehran after hostilities began on February 28, following US-Israeli strikes against Iran.
After six weeks of war, Pakistan negotiated a two-week ceasefire on April 8 and then hosted direct talks between the two sides in its federal capital.
In his speech, DPM Dar said the Islamabad talks, held between April 10 and 11, had reached an “advanced level”.
“We still hope that [Islamabad Talks] will eventually conclude, and we hope, very soon,” he added.
Recalling Islamabad’s peace efforts, DPM Dar said Pakistan had continuously engaged Iran and the United States to negotiate a lasting truce since the ceasefire was negotiated.
He added that Islamabad had succeeded in bringing the United States and Iran to the direct negotiating table for the first time in 47 years.
DPM Dar said the country’s mediation efforts had been recognized internationally and Pakistan remained in constant touch with global stakeholders as part of its responsibilities in promoting peace.
The entire consultative process was aimed at ending the conflict in the Middle East, DPM Dar said, adding that Pakistan continued to serve as a bridge between the two sides.
“[The] The goal is common… that this conflict ends in a dignified manner. It should be a win-win,” he said.
However, DPM Dar stressed that Islamabad could not go into details of its efforts as mediator and facilitator due to the sensitive nature of the issue.
His remarks came hours after Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said negotiations with the United States were progressing thanks to Pakistan’s “gracious efforts”, reiterating that there was no military solution to the crisis.
The Iranian foreign minister’s statement followed renewed attacks by Washington and Tehran in the Gulf on Monday as they fought for control of the Strait of Hormuz through dueling maritime blockades.
US President Donald Trump launched a new initiative to move oil tankers and other ships stuck through the strait, prompting a promised show of force from Iran, which has threatened to respond to any escalation with new attacks on its neighbors hosting US bases.
