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

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to mediating between the United States and Iran, saying Islamabad continued its efforts to ease tensions despite facing difficult moments during the conflict, Qatar News Agency (QNA) reported.

Addressing the 8th Global Security Forum in Doha on Monday, Naqvi said Pakistan had chosen diplomacy over confrontation and made every possible effort to prevent further escalation.

“The last few months have been very difficult for our region. The conflict involving Iran and the United States created serious risks not only for the Middle East, but for the entire world,” he said.

“There were moments when the situation was extremely tense, but we never gave up,” the minister added.

Naqvi credited Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir with playing a “remarkable role” in Pakistan’s efforts to bring the two sides closer and promote regional stability.

The interior minister has been involved in Islamabad’s mediation efforts and travelled to Iran several times since the conflict began.

Recalling the diplomatic process, Naqvi referred to the June 18 signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Washington and Tehran.

Pakistan signed the 14-point agreement as a mediator, providing a framework for ending the war that began with US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28.

He also highlighted the subsequent Lake Lucerne Summit in Switzerland, organised by Pakistan and Qatar as part of their joint mediation efforts.

Naqvi recalled that Qatar’s Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and Field Marshal Munir worked for more than 16 hours without a break during the negotiations.

“There, I saw something I will never forget,” he said.

“No cameras, no announcements; only two men who refused to let the talks fail,” Naqvi said, describing the commitment of the two officials to keeping negotiations on track.

He said the mediators shared a single objective: to prevent further conflict.

The remarks came as senior officials and dignitaries from more than 100 countries gathered in Doha for the forum, held under the theme “The Future of Alliances”, according to Qatar News Agency.