Dar warns UNSC over Middle East tensions

On Tuesday, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar issued a call for restraint and de-escalation in the Middle East region, telling the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) that yet another lengthy dispute will harm regional peace and further stress the already fragile international system.

Ishaq Dar traveled to New York on Tuesday for a high-level debate organized by China’s presidency in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). High-Level Debate’s theme is “Maintenance of International Peace and Security: Upholding the Purposes and Principles of the UN Charter and Strengthening the UN-Centered International System”.

While addressing the open debate, Dar, in reference to the ongoing talks towards resolving the dispute between Iran and the US, emphasized that the policy of peaceful settlements should also apply to all longstanding disputes listed in the Security Council’s docket.

“Everyone is watching us. It is vital for our regional peace and security,” he said in a statement to the 15-member body. “Being a friendly neighbor of Iran and fraternal countries of the Gulf, Pakistan has always supported restraint and de-escalation.”

According to Dar, Pakistan and China had launched a five-pronged programme for peace and stability in the Gulf and Middle East during his recent trip to Beijing, with the caveat that another war would pose a grave danger, both to the region as well as the rest of the world.

"Another prolonged conflict will benefit no one and will undermine regional peace, international energy supplies, and humanitarian efforts, which have already been strained due to an already fragile international order," said Dar.

He added that Pakistan had made its best efforts to ensure "that a durable solution is found, which leads to peace and stability in the region and maritime routes remain open to everyone".

The world was witnessing "an increasing divide among nations along with a growing disregard of international laws," and therefore there was a dire need for a strong international order based on the United Nations, he stressed.

"In such a time of increasing divide between nations along with a growing disregard of international laws, the Chinese call for a strong international order with a UN at the centre is very timely and vital."