Pakistan warns against prolonging conflict in Middle East

HYDERABAD: Pakistan has warned against prolonging the conflict in West Asia, saying it would endanger an “already fragile international order”.

Deputy prime minister and foreign minister Ishaq Dar told the UN Security Council on Tuesday that Pakistan has consistently stood for restraint and de-escalation in the crisis involving Iran and the US.

“As a friendly neighbour of Iran and the brotherly countries of the Gulf, and as a country with longstanding ties of amity with the United States, Pakistan consistently stood for restraint, de-escalation and a return to diplomacy,” he said.

Talking about his country’s mediation efforts in the Iran-US peace process, Dar stressed that the path ahead lies in diplomacy.

“Another prolonged conflict would serve no one. It would endanger regional peace, disrupt global energy flows, deepen humanitarian suffering and strain an already fragile international order,” the minister said.

“We have exerted our sincere efforts in facilitating a durable solution that results in lasting peace and stability in the region, and keeps maritime routes open for all,” he added.

A temporary ceasefire between the US and Iran was agreed on April 7 and the two sides held high-level direct talks in Islamabad on April 11-12.

However, tensions continue in the region and Israel and its backers in the US are provocatively encouraging a new military attack on Iran.

Pakistan thanked China, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Turkiye and Qatar for supporting its diplomacy towards an Iran-US peace agreement.

“The entire world is watching — we must succeed in the interest of regional and global peace and security,” Dar said.

The Pakistan foreign minister called for strengthening multilateralism and the UN system.

“A UN-centred international system can only be strengthened through consistency, equity and respect for law. Multilateralism cannot mean the management of global affairs by a few. It must mean participation, voice and dignity of all,” he said.

On the issue of reforming the Security Council, Dar said these reforms should make the key UN organ “more representative, democratic, transparent, accountable and effective” and backed the idea of reform based on an increase in the number of elected non-permanent seats allocated to regions instead of creating “new permanent seats of power”.

المصدر: Free Malaysia Today