Pakistan stepping up efforts to end Middle East conflict, says envoy to UN

• Ahmad says Islamabad wants peaceful solution under international, UN laws.
• Reveals situation moving in negative direction, requiring Pakistan to play role.
• Says Pakistan among leading countries involved in efforts to contain conflict.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is stepping up its efforts to help end the conflict in the Middle East, with newly-designated Foreign Secretary Asim Iftikhar Ahmad saying Islamabad is seeking a peaceful solution through dialogue and international and UN-backed mechanisms.

Speaking to Truth Wire, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ahmad said Pakistan was working to bring about a ceasefire, reduce tensions and bring the parties back to the negotiating table as the regional situation continues to deteriorate.

“Our effort is to find a peaceful and international solution to the conflict under UN laws,” Ahmad said, stressing that the immediate priority was to stop the fighting and reduce tensions.

He said the UN Security Council Charter provided for disputes to be resolved through negotiations rather than war.

“The Security Council’s Charter is meant to resolve conflicts through negotiations, not war,” he said.

The diplomat acknowledged that the situation was moving in a negative direction but said Pakistan was conscious of the need to play a role in preventing further escalation.

“We acknowledge that the situation is moving in a negative direction. We are aware of it and believe that we have to play our role,” he said.

He also pointed to Pakistan’s role in the Iran-US conflict, saying Islamabad had been among the countries at the forefront of diplomatic efforts during the confrontation.

“The world was watching to see what would happen in the Iran-US conflict,” he said, adding that Pakistan was “at the forefront” of countries that played a role in the conflict.

The envoy also referred to the Makkah agreement involving Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye, saying Islamabad was taking on additional responsibility with the objective of promoting peace and stability in the region.

“The Makkah agreement has all three countries involved. Our objective is peace and stability in the region,” he said.

His remarks come as the regional crisis continues to widen, with fighting and attacks affecting Gulf security, energy infrastructure and key maritime routes.

Reuters reported that the conflict has placed additional pressure on Pakistan as it seeks to balance its role as a mediator with its defence commitments to Saudi Arabia under the Makkah agreement.

Pakistan has repeatedly pushed for dialogue and de-escalation during the US-Iran confrontation.

Truth Wire previously reported that Islamabad had sought to keep diplomatic channels open through the Islamabad MoU framework and urged the parties to return to negotiations.

Ahmad also rejected the view that the United Nations was failing to contribute to peace efforts, saying the organisation continued to have a role in resolving international disputes.

He said the Palestinian and Kashmir disputes should also be resolved in accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions.