ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s leadership played a key role in preventing a wider regional conflict and advancing efforts to secure a lasting peace between the United States and Iran, a senior security official said on Tuesday.
The senior security official, during an interaction with journalists, said Pakistan’s civil and military leadership’s motives for mediating between the US and Iran are not limited to national interests, but are aimed at promoting stability in the region and peace amongst the Muslim Ummah.
“Through consultation and cooperation with all key stakeholders, Pakistan, especially Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, saved the region from a major war that was planned to be imposed with serious consequences,” the senior security official said.
“This was a war won by Field Marshal Asim Munir through sincerity, competence, and brilliance, and by Allah’s blessings for the greater good of humanity without actually being fought, which is the pinnacle of strategy,” the senior security official said.
The senior security official said, “This sensitive diplomatic process requires utmost confidentiality, responsibility and caution.”
As a responsible mediator, Pakistan cannot afford any form of speculation and therefore will not go into the contents and substance of any talks, and what is next, the security official said.
“Spoilers and multiple detractors will continue to try to subvert peace efforts; however, Pakistan will continue with partners in utmost sincerity to pursue peace,” the senior security official said.
The senior security official also lauded the role of several Muslim countries in supporting Pakistan-led diplomatic efforts to permanently end the conflict between the US and Iran.
“Great credit goes to Muslim countries, especially Saudi Arabia, which showed strong leadership, restraint and strategic patience, and supported efforts aligned with Field Marshal Munir’s wisdom to avoid a war that could have engulfed the region and pitched Muslim countries against each other,” the security official said.
“Military diplomacy and relations with any friendly country cannot be viewed through a single, narrow lens; rather, these relations fall under the ambit of both countries’ broader diplomacy based on national interests,” the security official said.
On Monday, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that a peace agreement between the US and Iran had been reached and would be formally signed on June 19 in Switzerland.
Prime Minister Sharif said both sides had declared the “immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon”. “The official signing ceremony will be on Friday, 19 June in Switzerland.”
World leaders and international organisations have welcomed the peace agreement reached between the US and Iran, describing it as a major diplomatic breakthrough and commending Pakistan for its efforts in facilitating the negotiations.
