ISLAMABAD:
After a nearly weeklong visit to the United States, Field Marshal General Syed Asim Munir on Saturday arrived in Istanbul in what seems part of Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to seek an end to the ongoing Iran-Israel war.
His meeting at the White House with US President Donald Trump discussed the Middle East crisis in detail and the army chief reportedly communicated Pakistan’s concerns about the escalating tensions between Israel and Iran.
The army chief, in line with Pakistan’s stated position, pushed for a diplomatic solution to the conflict that has the potential to engulf the entire region. After over two-hour long meeting with the Pakistani army chief, President Trump said Pakistan knew better about Iran than most others.
He also said Pakistan was not happy about “anything.” Though, the US President did not elaborate, Pakistan’s unhappiness stems from the fact that the Iran-Israel war has huge repercussions for the country.
It is believed that Trump listened to the Pakistani military leader’s opinion on the Iran-Israel war carefully and some even linked the US President’s decision to delay his decision on joining Israel against Iran for two weeks to his meeting with Field Marshal Munir.
The army chief’s arrival in Istanbul lends credence to reports that Pakistan might be playing some role to defuse the crisis. Interestingly, the Iranian foreign minister is also in Istanbul as part of ongoing diplomatic efforts to end the Israel-Iran war.
There is no clarity whether the army chief will have any meeting scheduled with the Iranian foreign minister. But observers believe that such a meeting is not ruled out given Pakistan’s desire to seek an end to the conflict.
Pakistan has emerged as one of the key players as it enjoys close ties with Iran while developing a close bonhomie with President Trump. Experts say Pakistan is uniquely positioned to play a role of a mediator between the US and Iran.
However, others say that the US has a direct channel of communications with Iran through President Trump’s special envoy on the Middle East. Pakistan, nevertheless, may be part of the multiple diplomatic channels seeking a political solution to the crisis.
Meanwhile, a statement issued here by the foreign office said Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, called on the President of Türkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in Istanbul during his visit to attend the 51st session of OIC CFM. He was accompanied by Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir.
During the meeting, the DPM/FM, conveyed warm greetings of Prime Minister, Shahbaz Sharif, to President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an, and underscored the profound importance that Pakistan accords to its enduring bilateral relations with Türkiye.
Both the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to further deepen and diversify the longstanding brotherly cooperation between the two countries.
The leaders expressed strong condemnation of the continued Israeli attacks in blatant violation of fundamental principles of international law; reiterated support for Iran’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and its right to self-defense under the UN Charter; agreed to continue diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the situation; and urged the international community to play its part in restoring peace and stability in the region.
Both sides emphasised the urgency of galvanizing efforts to bring an immediate halt to the Israeli aggression in Gaza and unhindered provision of humanitarian assistance to the besieged people of Gaza.
The DPM/FM congratulated President Erdogan on the Award conferred by the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum in recognition of his leadership as well as successful holding of the OIC CFM session.
