Naqvi says Pakistan ‘never gave up’ on US-Iran peace efforts

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi reiterated Pakistan's dedication to facilitating dialogue between the United States and Iran, emphasizing that the nation persisted in its mediation efforts despite facing challenging circumstances during the ongoing conflict, as reported by Qatar News Agency (QNA). During an address at the 8th Global Security Forum in Doha on Monday, Naqvi highlighted that Pakistan had opted for diplomacy over hostility and exerted every possible effort to avert a further escalation.

He noted that the past few months had been particularly trying for the region, with the Iran-US conflict posing significant risks not only to the Middle East but to the global community. "There were moments when the situation was extremely tense, but we never gave up," stated the minister.

Naqvi praised Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for his pivotal role in Pakistan's endeavors to draw the two nations closer and foster regional stability. Having participated in Islamabad's mediation efforts, the minister made multiple visits to Iran since the conflict commenced. He revisited the June 18th signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the United States and Iran, framing Pakistan's role as a mediator and a signatory to the 14-point agreement aimed at ending the war that escalated following US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28.

Furthermore, Naqvi discussed the subsequent Lake Lucerne Summit in Switzerland, organized jointly by Pakistan and Qatar as part of their mediation initiatives. He recalled the grueling negotiations at the summit, where Qatar's Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and Field Marshal Munir worked tirelessly for over 16 hours without respite.

Naqvi recounted witnessing a moment of extraordinary commitment, describing the two officials as "two men who refused to let the talks fail," even in the absence of cameras and announcements, focusing solely on preventing further conflict. The remarks were made as senior officials and dignitaries from over 100 countries convened in Doha for the forum, themed "The Future of Alliances," according to QNA.