Pakistan remained actively engaged in Middle East diplomacy as Islamabad intensified efforts to maintain the fragile ceasefire between Iran and the United States. Senior Pakistani officials held key meetings with Iranian leadership while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar continued consultations with regional allies to support peace and stability.
Islamabad: Amid the ongoing tension in the Middle East, Pakistan has intensified its diplomatic efforts to maintain the ceasefire between Iran and the United States, while the Iranian leadership has appreciated Pakistan’s role in peace and stability in the region.
Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi held important meetings with Iranian President Dr Masoud Pezeshkian and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqir Qalibaf during a two-day visit to Tehran. According to Iranian news agencies, the meeting with President Pezzekian lasted about 90 minutes, during which bilateral relations, the regional situation and the possibility of a ceasefire were discussed in detail.
The Iranian President emphasised the need for unity and cooperation among Islamic countries on this occasion and said that the Muslim world needs to come closer on religious, cultural and strategic grounds in order to reduce the risks of external interference and aggression. He said that Iran has always wanted to promote friendly relations with its neighbouring countries, especially cooperation with the Gulf countries.
President Pezzekian said that the US and Israel want to promote mistrust among Islamic countries by creating division in the region, but regional cooperation and solidarity can thwart these intentions. He said that recent ties between Pakistan and Iran have brought the two countries closer, especially in the economic, cultural and scientific fields.
The Iranian president also appreciated the diplomatic efforts of Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir and termed Pakistan’s role in establishing the ceasefire as commendable. He said that Pakistan not only played a positive role at the diplomatic level but also took important steps to promote border trade and economic ties.
On the other hand, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf criticised some regional governments and said that the presence of the US does not create peace in the region but instability. He said that the recent war has proven that the intervention of external powers is harmful to the region.
Pakistan’s diplomatic activities are not limited to Tehran alone. Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif had a telephonic conversation with Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, in which the latest situation in the Middle East and Pakistan’s mediation efforts were discussed. The Qatari leadership appreciated Pakistan’s efforts and assured full support.
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar had a telephonic conversation with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdul Ati. According to the Foreign Office, the two leaders discussed the regional situation, the activities of the UN Security Council and diplomatic relations. Egypt also described Pakistan’s role for peace as positive.
According to experts, Pakistan is currently playing an important diplomatic role in the region, and Islamabad is trying to prevent further escalation of tensions between Iran and the United States. Analysts say that if Pakistan’s mediation is successful, it will have a positive impact not only on the Middle East but also on the global economy, as stability in the region is considered extremely important for global energy markets.
