ISLAMABAD:
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Tuesday expressed hope that Pakistan’s mediation efforts in the talks between the US and Iran to end the conflict in the Middle East would reach an advanced stage and eventually conclude, terming it as crucial for global peace and the world economy.
He was briefing members of the diplomatic corps and ambassadors at an event held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad on the first anniversary of “Marka-e-Haq”.
He also briefed the participants on Pakistan’s facilitating and mediating role in supporting ceasefire efforts and promoting peace in the Gulf region and the wider Middle East.
Referring to the Iran-US peace talks in Islamabad, the deputy prime minister said Pakistan had secured progress by convincing the parties to agree to a ceasefire and ease engagement after their first direct talks in 47 years.
“I am happy to say that things went and progressed very positively, but the parties had to go back to their capitals and management to consult,” he said.
The Deputy Prime Minister expressed gratitude to both sides, adding that the top priority was to end the case in a dignified manner as it was the need of the region.
He said Pakistan’s aim was to continue to engage both sides as an honest facilitator and mediator to negotiate and reach a peaceful solution. “This is necessary for the region, it is necessary for the globe, it is necessary for the world economy,” he said.
He added that Pakistan’s objective as a facilitator was to end the conflict as soon as possible.
“We are very happy that it has reached a very advanced level and we still hope that it will reach a very advanced level and eventually be completed,” Dar said.
He described the Marka-e-Haq as a symbol of Pakistan’s unity, resilience and the unwavering resolve of its armed forces to defend the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, while stressing the determination of the nation and the armed forces to ensure sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence.
The foreign minister said Pakistan’s response during Operation Bunyanum Marsoos was measured, legal and in line with the UN charter, which only targeted military installations, while warning of the risk of escalation, harm to civilians and threats to regional peace and security.
He warned India against any “mishaps” and recalled past consequences during “Marka-e-Haq”. “Any mishap against Pakistan will be met with full force, determination and determination,” he said.
Highlighting the situation in India’s illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, he said the Kashmiri people’s struggle for self-determination could not be suppressed.
“The legitimate struggle of the Kashmiri people for self-determination cannot be suppressed by the Indian occupation and urged India to take immediate and meaningful steps towards a just settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people,” he said.
“India’s continued reliance on unilateralism and jingoism is a threat to regional peace and stability,” he added, saying Pakistan remained committed to multilateralism and peaceful resolution of disputes.
Dar also expressed concern over India’s unilateral action on the Indus Waters Treaty, saying the National Security Committee had made it clear that any attempt to stop or divert water allocated to Pakistan under the treaty would be considered an act of war.
The Deputy Prime Minister pointed to unexplained fluctuations in river flows in recent periods.
“In addition to India’s unilateral decision to suspend the Indus Water Treaty and its attempts to politicize shared water resources, Pakistan has observed a worrying pattern of erratic and unexplained fluctuations in river flows in the recent period, raising serious questions regarding compliance with established treaty obligations,” he said.
He called the pattern “worrying” and called for full transparency and data sharing under the treaty.
