New York: Pakistan is taking on additional responsibility under the Makkah agreement as the regional situation continues to move in a negative direction, Foreign Secretary Asim Iftikhar Ahmad has said, stressing that Islamabad’s objective is to promote peace and stability.
Speaking in New York, Ahmad said Pakistan was playing a role in efforts to end the conflict in the Middle East and wanted a peaceful resolution in accordance with international law and United Nations principles.
He said Pakistan wanted a ceasefire, de-escalation and efforts to bring the parties to the negotiating table.
The foreign secretary said the UN and Security Council framework was designed to resolve disputes through negotiations rather than war.
Ahmad said three countries were part of the Makkah agreement and Pakistan was assuming additional responsibility under the arrangement.
“We recognise that the situation is moving in a negative direction. We are aware of it and believe that we have to play a role,” he said.
The foreign secretary said Pakistan’s objective was to promote peace and stability across the region.
Referring to the Iran-US conflict, Ahmad said the world had been watching closely to see how the situation would unfold, adding that Pakistan was among the leading countries that played a role in efforts surrounding the crisis.
He also said the Palestine and Kashmir disputes should be resolved in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions.
Ahmad rejected the view that the United Nations was not contributing to international peace efforts.
