'Winning peace more important than winning war': Naqvi on US-Iran mediation efforts at Doha security forum

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi took the podium at the 8th Global Security Forum in Qatar to underscore Pakistan's unwavering commitment to peace amid the escalating tensions between the United States and Iran. Speaking at the forum's "The Future of Alliances" session, Naqvi affirmed that Islamabad "never gave up" in its efforts to de-escalate the conflict.

The last few months have been "very difficult" for the region, he said, emphasizing that the conflict posed "serious risks not only for the Middle East, but for the entire world." Naqvi highlighted that during such trying times, Pakistan chose the path of peace and made "every possible effort to reduce tensions."

The minister recounted the challenges faced during negotiations, noting that "there were moments when the situation was extremely tense, but we never gave up. We continued talking, listening, and working to build trust." He particularly praised the "remarkable role" of Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, who visited Iran in August to promote regional peace and stability.

Naqvi recalled the signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Iran and the US in June, which laid the groundwork for ending the war. The MoU was followed by the Lake Lucerne Summit in Switzerland, organized by Pakistan and Qatar. At the summit, Naqvi noted, Qatar's Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and Field Marshal Munir worked tirelessly for over 16 hours without a break, determined to prevent further conflict and save lives.

The minister praised Qatar's peace efforts, acknowledging that the nation "chose to keep talking" while others chose sides. He emphasized that Pakistan has always believed "dialogue is better than war" and shared three key lessons from its recent experience: never closing the door to dialogue, trusting in the importance of talks, and the need for sincere efforts from all parties.

Pakistan's commitment to regional peace is evident in its support for dialogue and cooperation, Naqvi stressed. He cited the Makkah Joint Defence Alliance, a pact among Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey, as an example of Islamabad's dedication to security in the region. The minister also called for stronger international cooperation to counter common security challenges, including terrorism, which he described as a shared enemy.

Pakistan has suffered greatly from terrorism, with thousands of lives lost, Naqvi noted. He emphasized that counterterrorism cooperation is not a one-way street but a mutual endeavor. He highlighted Pakistan's contributions to UN peacekeeping missions, where UN police peacekeepers have protected civilians, supported local police, and helped restore peace in conflict-ridden nations.