Pakistan moves to salvage fragile ceasefire

Pakistan on Sunday stepped up its diplomatic engagement with key regional and international players as fresh exchanges of fire between Iran and the United States threatened to unravel the fragile ceasefire and jeopardise the implementation of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held a series of telephone conversations over the last 48 hours with the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Iran, besides separately speaking with British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper and the European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas. The flurry of diplomatic contacts came as fresh US-Iran military exchanges cast a shadow over the MoU both sides signed on June 18, committing to end hostilities on all fronts. The latest escalation followed US allegations that Iran was behind attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Washington responded with strikes on Iranian military targets, prompting retaliatory missile and drone attacks by Tehran against US facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait. The renewed hostilities have once again put the future of the Islamabad MoU in jeopardy. Diplomatic sources said Pakistan was in close contact with all stakeholders in an effort to prevent the situation from spiralling into a wider regional conflict. During his conversation with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Dar conveyed Pakistan's condolences over the helicopter crash in Saudi Arabia that claimed 14 lives. He expressed sympathies on behalf of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and the people of Pakistan. Prince Faisal thanked Pakistan for the brotherly gesture. The two leaders also discussed the evolving regional situation and expressed concern over the latest escalation, with Dar reiterating Pakistan's commitment to continue working for peace under the Islamabad MoU. Prince Faisal also conveyed his intention to visit Pakistan at the earliest mutually convenient date. In his conversation with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, Dar briefed her on Pakistan's continued diplomatic efforts aimed at developing a comprehensive framework for peace and stability in the Middle East. Kallas appreciated Pakistan's role in facilitating the signing of the Islamabad MoU but expressed serious concern over the recent ceasefire violations and stressed the importance of keeping channels of communication open. The two sides agreed to remain in close contact. The Bahraini foreign minister, Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, congratulated Pakistan on the signing of the Islamabad MoU and praised Islamabad's constructive role in facilitating the understanding between Washington and Tehran. Al Zayani expressed hope that the agreement would contribute to lasting peace and stability in the region and said he would visit Pakistan soon to personally thank the Pakistani leadership for its efforts. Dar also spoke to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, reaffirming Pakistan's commitment to playing a constructive role in achieving lasting peace and stability in the region and beyond. Araghchi appreciated Pakistan's continued support in advancing the peace process and thanked Islamabad for facilitating the safe repatriation of Iranian crew members and fishermen. Separately, British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper reiterated London's appreciation for Pakistan's sustained efforts for peace and stability in the region that culminated in the signing of the Islamabad MoU. Diplomatic sources said Pakistan was particularly concerned that the latest military exchanges could derail efforts to transform the ceasefire into a broader political settlement. Major differences still remain between Washington and Tehran over several contentious issues, including the future security architecture of the Strait of Hormuz, sanctions relief and the interpretation of key clauses of the MoU. The renewed tensions have also raised fears in Islamabad that instability in the Gulf could adversely affect global energy markets and maritime trade routes, with the Strait of Hormuz remaining one of the world's most critical oil transit chokepoints. Pakistani officials said Islamabad would continue engaging both regional and international players in an effort to preserve the ceasefire and prevent the latest military exchanges from escalating into a broader regional conflict.

from Pakistan News, Latest News Pakistan, Pakistan Headline | The Express Tribune https://ift.tt/rB5ye6V