Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Tuesday cautioned that an extended conflict in the Middle East could jeopardize the broader international order, emphasizing the urgent need for peaceful resolution of long-standing disputes. Speaking at the United Nations Security Council’s open debate on maintaining international peace and security, he reiterated Pakistan’s consistent support for dialogue and the principle of self-determination in resolving conflicts.
Dar stressed that diplomacy should not be mistaken for weakness, asserting that negotiations remain the foremost responsibility for achieving peace. He highlighted that Pakistan, along with China and other partners, is actively engaged in efforts to promote peace in the Gulf and the wider Middle East region. He warned that a protracted conflict could destabilize the region, disrupt global energy supplies, and threaten the international order at large.
Notably, he pointed to Islamabad’s sincere initiatives aimed at fostering peace and ensuring the uninterrupted flow of marine traffic through critical waterways. Dar also drew attention to the unresolved Kashmir dispute, which has persisted for over eight decades despite multiple UNSC resolutions. He emphasized that lasting peace in South Asia cannot be attained through coercion or unilateral measures, cautioning that India’s moves to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty pose a serious risk to regional stability.
Furthermore, Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s stance on Palestine, condemning the Israeli occupation, collective punishments, and illegal settlements as obstacles to sustainable peace. He reiterated Islamabad’s support for the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination.
On the subject of global power dynamics, Dar criticized the selective enforcement of international principles, noting that when powerful nations place themselves above the law, it undermines trust in multilateralism. He remarked, “When sovereignty is defended in one case but disregarded in another, the Charter is weakened. When occupation is condemned in one region but tolerated and even supported in another, justice is diminished.”
In a significant development, he reiterated Pakistan’s endorsement of United Nations reforms, emphasizing that any changes should enhance the representation of developing countries rather than concentrate authority. He described the UN as an indispensable institution that requires renewed dedication to its founding Charter to effectively address global challenges.
