Pakistan is assuming additional responsibility under the Makkah Agreement as the situation in the Middle East continues to deteriorate, Foreign Secretary Asim Iftikhar Ahmad said in New York, outlining Islamabad’s push for a ceasefire, reduced tensions and a return to negotiations.
Push for Ceasefire and Dialogue
Speaking in New York, the foreign secretary said Pakistan was playing an active role in efforts to end the conflict in the Middle East and was seeking a peaceful solution in line with international law and United Nations principles.
He said Pakistan wanted a ceasefire, a reduction in tensions and the parties to be brought back to the negotiating table. The UN Security Council Charter, he noted, calls for disputes to be resolved through dialogue rather than war.
“We recognise that the situation is moving in a negative direction, and we understand that we have to play a role,” Asim Iftikhar said.
Commitments Under the Makkah Agreement
According to the foreign secretary, all three countries covered by the Makkah Agreement are party to the accord, and Pakistan is taking on additional responsibility under it. He said Pakistan’s objective was to promote peace and stability in the region.
He added that the world had been watching developments in the Iran-US conflict, and that Pakistan was among the countries that had played a role in efforts concerning the conflict.
UN Resolutions on Palestine and Kashmir
Asim Iftikhar said the conflicts in Palestine and Kashmir should be resolved in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions. He also rejected the notion that the United Nations was not playing a role in promoting peace.
Pakistan’s diplomatic push comes amid heightened regional tensions, with Islamabad seeking to balance its commitments under the Makkah Agreement with its efforts to promote dialogue and de-escalation.
