Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Thursday urged the international community not to let the recent diplomatic gains in the Gulf go to waste, saying “we must not let this opportunity slip through our hands”, as he called for sustained dialogue to secure lasting peace, according to a post shared by the Foreign Office (FO).
Dar, along with his delegation, arrived in Manila on Wednesday and is scheduled to take part in the ARF Plenary meeting as well as hold a series of bilateral meetings with his counterparts on the sidelines of the forum.
Addressing the 33rd ASEAN Regional Forum Ministerial Meeting, Dar said the recent developments in the Gulf had affected countries across the region and stressed that Pakistan had done “everything within its capacity” to help restore peace and stability.
“We cannot afford to ignore these developments,” he said.
Dar said Pakistan had played its role in facilitating the ceasefire by convening the Islamabad Talks after 47 years, followed by the signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding in Burgenstock. “We deeply appreciate the confidence entrusted in Pakistan by the United States, Iran, Gulf countries, and all our friends to steer these efforts,” he said.
Describing the progress as “hard-earned achievements through dialogue and diplomacy”, Dar warned, “We must not let this opportunity slip through our hands.”
He said Pakistan remained committed to every effort aimed at establishing peace and stability in the region and urged all parties to exercise restraint, honour their commitments and pursue peaceful engagement.
He expressed hope that continued diplomacy would contribute to regional stability, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the resumption of normal shipping, adding that the international community should continue supporting these efforts through “sustained dialogue, diplomacy, and constructive engagement”.
Dar began his address by thanking the Philippines for hosting the meeting and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to dialogue, mutual respect and peaceful coexistence as ASEAN marks the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation.
