ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has said that Pakistan is being recognised as a peacemaker and a contributor to regional security due to its successful mediation efforts between the United States and Iran.
Speaking in the National Assembly on Wednesday, Dar said Pakistan’s diplomatic engagement played a pivotal role in preventing further escalation and helped save hundreds of thousands of lives. He described Pakistan as an honest, sincere and credible mediator that worked tirelessly to promote dialogue and peaceful resolution of differences between the two countries.
The Deputy Prime Minister highlighted Pakistan’s extensive efforts to facilitate peace, including its constructive role in negotiations held in Switzerland.
He paid tribute to Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for their leadership and contributions to the diplomatic process that culminated in the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding.
Dar also pointed to the economic dividends of the agreement, noting that the easing of regional tensions had already begun to positively impact global markets. He cited the decline in international oil prices and petroleum product rates as among the early benefits emerging from the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding.
Last week, Tehran and Washington signed the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, laying the groundwork for the negotiations, after a 40-day war that was followed by weeks of ceasefire.
US, Iran agree 60-day roadmap for final deal
Mediators Pakistan and Qatar on Monday released a joint statement after the high-level US-Iran direct talks in Switzerland. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir attended the talks as mediators. The Qatari Prime Minister also attended the talks as mediator.
According to a joint statement issued on Monday, the US and Iran have agreed on a 60-day roadmap towards a final agreement following the conclusion of high-level talks in Switzerland mediated by Pakistan and Qatar.
The first session of negotiations under the framework of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding concluded at the Burgenstock resort, bringing together representatives of Iran, the United States, Pakistan and Qatar.
The mediating countries described the Lake Lucerne Summit as having been conducted in a “positive and constructive atmosphere” and said “encouraging progress” had been achieved, including the establishment of a mechanism for further technical negotiations.
The parties agreed to establish a High-Level Committee to provide political oversight of the mediation process. Under the arrangement, chief negotiators will regularly report to the committee and lead specialised working groups focusing on nuclear issues, sanctions, monitoring mechanisms and dispute resolution.
