At UNSC, Ishaq Dar warns another Middle East war could shake global peace and order

NEW YORK: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Tuesday urged restraint and immediate de-escalation in the Middle East, warning the United Nations Security Council that another prolonged conflict would threaten regional stability, disrupt global economic flows and further weaken the fragile international order.

Addressing a high-level open debate of the UN Security Council convened under China’s presidency, Dar stressed that the world was closely watching ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving tensions between Iran and the United States.

“The entire world is watching. We must succeed in the interest of regional and global peace and security,” the foreign minister told the Council.

The debate, titled “Maintenance of International Peace and Security: Upholding the Purposes and Principles of the UN Charter and Strengthening the UN-Centered International System,” was held during Dar’s official visit to New York from May 26 to 28.

Pakistan, China Push Five-Point Peace Initiative

Referring to his recent visit to Beijing, Dar said Pakistan and China had jointly announced a five-point initiative aimed at restoring peace and stability in the Gulf and Middle East region.

“As a friendly neighbour of Iran and brotherly countries of the Gulf, Pakistan consistently stood for restraint, de-escalation and a return to diplomacy,” he said.

Warning against the consequences of another regional war, Dar said a prolonged conflict would endanger regional peace, interrupt global energy supplies, deepen humanitarian suffering and place enormous strain on an already unstable international system.

“Another prolonged conflict would serve no one,” he cautioned.

The foreign minister said Pakistan had actively worked to facilitate a durable diplomatic solution capable of ensuring long-term peace and keeping maritime trade routes secure and open.

‘UN Charter Is Moral Foundation of International Order’

Dar said the world was currently facing growing divisions and an alarming disregard for international law, making a stronger UN-centred multilateral system more essential than ever.

“At a time of deepening divisions and growing disregard for international law, China’s call for a strong UN-centred international system is most timely and vital,” he observed.

Describing the UN Charter as “the moral foundation of the international order,” Dar said it enshrined the principles of sovereignty, equality of states, peaceful settlement of disputes and the prohibition of the use of force.

“For Pakistan, these principles of the UN Charter are sacrosanct,” he said. “They are the foundation of our foreign policy and the guiding framework for our contribution to international peace and security.”

He said Pakistan had consistently supported the United Nations through peacekeeping missions, conflict prevention initiatives and advocacy for sovereignty and decolonisation.

“It reaffirmed a powerful truth — diplomacy is not weakness, dialogue is not concession, and peaceful settlement is not an option of last resort,” Dar stated. “It is the first duty of states under the Charter.”

Dar Raises Kashmir, Water Treaty at UNSC

Turning to South Asia, the foreign minister reiterated Pakistan’s longstanding position on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, stressing that durable peace in the region remained impossible without implementation of UN Security Council resolutions granting Kashmiris the right to self-determination.

“For nearly eight decades, the Jammu and Kashmir dispute has remained unresolved despite clear and multiple Security Council resolutions,” he said.

Dar warned that peace could not coexist with unilateral actions or attempts to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty.

“Water must never be weaponised. Treaties must always be honoured,” he declared.

Pakistan Reaffirms Support for Palestine

On the Palestinian issue, Dar said lasting peace in the Middle East could not be achieved while occupation, forced displacement, collective punishment and illegal settlement expansion continued.

He reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and reiterated support for an independent Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.

Calls for UN Security Council Reforms

The foreign minister criticised what he described as selective implementation of international law and UN resolutions, warning that double standards were eroding the credibility of the international system.

“When sovereignty is defended in one case but disregarded in another, the Charter is weakened,” he said.

“This selectivity is very dangerous. It breeds mistrust, fuels grievances, encourages unilateralism and weakens the multilateral system we all claim to uphold.”

Dar also called for comprehensive reforms of the UN Security Council, urging that it become more representative, democratic, transparent and effective.

“Reform must not enlarge privilege or create new permanent centres of power,” he said, advocating an increase in elected non-permanent seats as “the only feasible way forward.”

Concluding his remarks, Dar emphasised that peace was not simply the absence of war.

“Peace is not merely the silence of guns,” he said. “Peace is the presence of justice, the protection of civilians, the dignity of people, the promise of development, and the hope of equal rights for all.”

Upon his arrival in New York, Dar was received by Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Asim Iftikhar Ahmad and Pakistan’s Consul General in New York Aamer Ahmad Atozai.