calls for upholding the principles of the UN Charter, including respect for everyone’s sovereignty and territorial integrity
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on Sunday that foreign ministers from Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Egypt have expressed full support for dialogue and diplomacy as the only viable path to an “early and permanent end” to the US-Israel conflict.
Speaking at a media briefing on the four-way 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 way to prevent conflict and promote regional peace and harmony. “We call for upholding the principles of the UN Charter, including respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all,” he added.
The ministers also expressed concern over the devastating impact of the ongoing conflict on lives and livelihoods across the region. “We agreed that this war benefits no one and would only lead to death and destruction,” Dar said.
He briefed the visiting foreign ministers on the prospects for potential talks between the US and Iran in Islamabad. “The visiting ministers expressed their full support for this initiative and reaffirmed unity to contain the situation, reduce the risk of military escalation and create conditions for structured negotiations between the relevant parties,” 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 regional and international partners. “We remain actively involved in all efforts to end this conflict,” he said.
Calling Pakistan-US relations “very important”, Dar said Islamabad has remained in active dialogue with US leadership to help de-escalate the situation and find a peaceful solution.
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“In this context, Pakistan is pleased that both Iran and the US have expressed confidence in Pakistan’s ability to facilitate negotiations. Pakistan will be honored to host meaningful talks between the two sides in the coming days for a comprehensive and lasting solution to the conflict,” he added.
He further said that he had also held several telephone conversations with colleagues worldwide, all of whom expressed full support and confidence in Pakistan’s efforts. “There is great appreciation and support among all our partners for 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 emphasized the importance of Muslim unity in these challenging times. “The unity of the Muslim ummah under these circumstances is of utmost importance,” he said.
In his concluding remarks, Dar called on the international community for prayers 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 US against launching a ground attack and global oil prices rose amid continued fighting between Iran, the US and Israel.
The countries meeting in Pakistan have sent proposals to Washington related to maritime traffic and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, five sources with knowledge of the matter said Reutersas part of a wider effort to stabilize shipping flows.
The Strait of Hormuz used to be a conduit for about a fifth of global oil and liquid natural gas supplies, but Iran has effectively halted shipping flows through it in response to US and Israeli airstrikes that began a month ago.
Proposal to reopen Hormuz
Pakistan, which like Turkiye borders Iran, has used its close ties to both Tehran and Washington to emerge as an important diplomatic channel in the conflict, while Ankara and Cairo have also played a role.
A Pakistani source said proposals, including from Egypt, had been sent to the White House by the countries before Sunday’s meeting, and that they included toll structures in the Suez Canal.
Two other Pakistani sources said that Turkiye, Egypt and Saudi Arabia could form a consortium to manage oil flows through the waterway and had asked Pakistan to participate. The first Pakistani source said Islamabad had not been formally asked to participate and maintains it will not.
The proposal for a management consortium had been discussed with the US and Iran, the sources said.
A Turkish diplomatic source said Ankara’s priority was to secure a ceasefire. “Ensuring safe passage of ships can serve as an important confidence-building measure in this regard,” the person said, requesting anonymity.
