ISLAMABAD:
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Tuesday expressed hope that Pakistan’s mediation efforts in the US-Iran talks to end the Middle East conflict would reach an advanced stage and eventually be concluded, calling them essential for global peace and the world economy.
He briefed members of the diplomatic corps and ambassadors at an event held at the Ministry of External Affairs in Islamabad on the occasion of the first anniversary of “Marka-e-Haq”.
He also briefed the participants about Pakistan’s facilitating and mediating role in supporting ceasefire efforts and promoting peace in the Gulf region and the Middle East at large.
Referring to the Iran-US peace talks held in Islamabad, the deputy prime minister said Pakistan had ensured progress by convincing the parties to accept a ceasefire and facilitating engagement after their first direct talks in 47 years.
“I am happy to say that things proceeded and progressed very positively, but the parties needed to return to their capitals and their leaders for consultation,” he said.
The deputy prime minister expressed his gratitude to both parties and added that the top priority was to conclude the matter in a dignified manner as it was a need of the region.
He said Pakistan’s objective was to continue engaging both sides as a facilitator and honest mediator to negotiate and reach a peaceful solution. “This is necessary for the region, this is necessary for the world, this is necessary for the world’s economy,” he said.
He added that Pakistan’s goal 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 reaches a very advanced level and finally concludes,” Dar said.
He described Marka-e-Haq as a symbol of the unity, resilience and unwavering determination of its armed forces of Pakistan to defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country, while underlining the determination of the nation and the armed forces to safeguard sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence.
The Foreign Minister said Pakistan’s response during Operation Bunyanum Marsoos was measured, lawful and consistent with the UN Charter, targeting military installations only, while warning of risks of escalation, harm to civilians and threats to regional peace and security.
He warned India against any “misadventure”, recalling the past consequences during the “Marka-e-Haq”. “Any misadventure against Pakistan will be met with full force, resolve and determination,” he said.
Highlighting the situation in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, he said the struggle of Kashmiri people for self-determination cannot be suppressed.
“The legitimate struggle of the Kashmiri people for self-determination cannot be suppressed by Indian occupation and I urged India to take immediate and meaningful steps towards a just settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the people of Kashmir,” he said.
“India’s persistent reliance on unilateralism and jingoism is a threat to regional peace and stability,” he added, asserting that Pakistan remains committed to multilateralism and peaceful resolution of disputes.
Dar also expressed concern over India’s unilateral action regarding the Indus Waters Treaty, saying that 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 inexplicable fluctuations in river flow in recent periods.
“Beyond India’s unilateral decision to keep the Indus Water Treaty on hold and its attempts to politicize shared water resources, Pakistan has observed a worrying pattern of irregular and unexplained fluctuations in river flows over the recent period, raising serious questions about its fulfillment of its treaty obligations,” it said.
He called the pattern “concerning” and called for full transparency and data sharing under the treaty.
