Dar calls for diplomacy to address rising global tensions
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has stressed the need to expand diplomatic efforts and resolve conflicts through dialogue, mediation and negotiations.
Addressing the inaugural session of the Margalla Dialogue in Islamabad on Tuesday, Dar warned that growing competition among global powers is increasing the risk of confrontation and miscalculations.
He said that diplomacy must continue even during armed conflicts, adding that Pakistan was working with regional partners to revive negotiations and ease tensions between the United States and Iran.
He said Pakistan had facilitated talks between Washington and Tehran in April this year, while the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding provided an important foundation for future negotiations.
Pakistan, he added, remained engaged with regional partners to help restore dialogue.
The deputy prime minister observed that the selective application of international law was undermining confidence in global institutions and creating divisions within the international community.
He said the global security architecture was under severe pressure, while major changes in the international order and emerging technologies were reshaping the nature of conflicts.
Dar stressed that international institutions, particularly the United Nations, must play a more effective role in addressing global challenges.
He called for greater cooperation, multilateral diplomacy and collective efforts to tackle shared security and economic concerns, warning that trade disruptions and energy crises could adversely affect the global economy.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to the UN Charter, sovereignty and territorial integrity, he said Islamabad supported a rules-based international order and peaceful resolution of disputes.
Referring to the Palestine issue, Dar said it was a clear example of the human cost of disregarding international law.
He also described unresolved disputes and unilateral actions in South Asia as threats to regional stability, emphasising that lasting peace in the region required a settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
Referring to India’s move to unilaterally suspend the water accord, Dar reiterated that Pakistan would safeguard its legitimate rights under the Indus Waters Treaty.
On regional security, Dar described terrorism originating from Afghan territory as a serious security challenge for Pakistan.
He said Islamabad supported a peaceful and stable Afghanistan and maintained that Afghan soil must not be used for terrorist activities against Pakistan or any other country.
Discussing Pakistan’s international partnerships, the foreign minister said relations with friendly countries and global partners remained central to the country’s foreign policy.
He described Pakistan’s strategic partnership with China as a key pillar of its foreign policy, while highlighting the importance of ties with the United States, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, Japan, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Malaysia.
Dar also clarified that the defence accord involving Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye was aimed at strengthening regional peace and stability and was not directed against any country.
He described the Makkah agreement as a reflection of Pakistan’s partnership with Saudi Arabia and Türkiye, adding that Pakistan sought a peaceful, stable and economically integrated region.