Pakistan's Interior Minister, Mohsin Naqvi, said on Monday that Islamabad "never gave up" on its mediation between the United States and Iran, even during the most tense periods of the conflict. Speaking at the 8th Global Security Forum in Doha, the Qatari capital, he said Pakistan chose the path of peace at a critical time and made "every possible effort to reduce tensions." The forum, titled "The Future of Alliances," brings together senior officials and dignitaries from more than 100 nations.
Pakistan's mediation role
Naqvi said the last few months had been very difficult for the region, warning that the conflict between Iran and the United States posed serious risks not only to the Middle East but to the wider world. He has made several trips to Iran since the war began, and he singled out the "remarkable role" of Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir. Munir visited Iran in August with Naqvi, which Pakistan described as part of its effort to promote regional peace and stability. Naqvi made another visit to Iran in September, which Tehran described as part of bilateral engagements.
The Islamabad MoU and Lake Lucerne
Naqvi recalled the 14-point Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Iran and the United States on June 18, with Pakistan acting as mediator. The document provided a framework for ending the war, which began with US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28. He said the MoU was followed by the Lake Lucerne Summit in Switzerland, organised by the two mediating countries, Pakistan and Qatar. There, he said, Qatar's Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and Munir worked for "more than 16 hours without a single break." Naqvi summed up the effort in a few words: "No cameras, no announcements; only two men who refused to let the talks fail." He added that the sole aim of the mediators was to "stop further conflict."
Timeline: what has happened so far
- February 28: US-Israeli strikes on Iran begin the war.
- June 18: Iran and the US sign the 14-point Islamabad MoU, with Pakistan acting as mediator.
- After the MoU: The Lake Lucerne Summit is held in Switzerland, organised by Pakistan and Qatar.
- August: CDF Munir and Naqvi visit Iran as part of Pakistan's peace efforts.
- September: Naqvi makes another visit to Iran, which Tehran described as part of bilateral engagements.
- Monday: Naqvi tells the 8th Global Security Forum in Doha that Pakistan never gave up.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Pakistan ke Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi ne Doha mein kaha ke Islamabad ne US aur Iran ke darmiyan jang ke doran sulah ki koshish nahi chhodi. June mein Islamabad MoU par dastakhat hue jis se jang khatam karne ka dhancha tayyar hua. Aam Pakistani ke liye ye khabar is baat ki nishandahi hai ke Pakistan ilaqai amn ke liye mediator ka kirdar nibhata raha hai. Is ka roz marra ki zindagi par seedha asar kya hoga, ye aage ke marahil se pata chalega.
