Islamabad: Pakistan is stepping up diplomatic efforts to help end the ongoing Middle East conflict, Foreign Secretary Asim Iftikhar Ahmad said Monday, calling for an immediate ceasefire, de-escalation and a return to negotiations under the UN framework. Speaking to Geo News, Ahmad said Islamabad was seeking a peaceful and international solution as the regional situation continued to deteriorate.
Why Is Pakistan Increasing Its Diplomatic Role?
Ahmad said Pakistan believes conflicts should be resolved through dialogue rather than war and stressed the need to stop further escalation. He acknowledged that the situation was moving in a negative direction and said Islamabad was conscious of its responsibility to play a role in promoting regional stability. He also pointed to Pakistan’s previous diplomatic involvement during the Iran-US confrontation.
What Role Is Pakistan Seeking in Regional Peace Efforts?
The foreign secretary said Pakistan was among the countries actively involved in efforts to contain the conflict and referred to the Makkah agreement involving Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye as part of broader efforts to promote regional peace and stability. He also defended the role of the United Nations in resolving international disputes and said issues including Palestine and Kashmir should be addressed in accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions.