Dar for positive outcome

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Tuesday expressed hope that Pakistan’s mediation efforts in talks between the United States and Iran to end the Middle East conflict would reach an advanced stage and eventually con-clude, terming it essential for global peace and the world economy. Briefing mem-bers of the diplomatic corps in Islamabad, he talked about Pakistan’s facilitative and mediating role in supporting ceasefire efforts and promoting peace in the Gulf region and the broader Middle East. He said Pakistan’s objective was to continue engaging both sides as an honest facilitator and mediator to negotiate and reach a peaceful settlement. The remarks that Dar made during his comprehensive briefing to foreign en-voys make it clear that the first round of direct talks between the United States and Iran did not end in a deadlock as is widely believed. According to him, things pro-ceeded and progressed very positively during Islamabad talks, but the parties needed to go back to their capitals and the leadership for consultation. It is encour-aging to hear from him that the engagement between the two sides has reached a very advanced level, which augurs well for a positive outcome. As the Deputy Prime Minister is deeply involved in the diplomatic efforts aimed at promoting de-escalation and moving towards durable peace in the region, his remarks and assessment of the situation matters a lot. There are reasons to believe him as both the United States and Iran value the role being played by Pakistan to bring the conflict to an end. The confidence that Pakistan enjoys of the warring parties is enabling the country to make effective contribution for the cause of peace and resolution of the complex is-sues involved. It is noteworthy that after releasing 22 crew members who were being held on a seized Iranian container ship (the Tusca) and transferring them to Pakistani authorities in a “confidence-building measure”, the United States has responded posit