IWT violations threaten peace: Dar

DPM stresses peaceful dialogue at Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum

BRUSSELS:

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister (DPM/FM) Senator Ishaq Dar on Friday called for strengthened multilateralism, inclusive cooperation and renewed global dialogue.

Addressing the Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum Roundtable, Dar warned that the world stood "at a pivotal moment", facing rising conflicts, great-power rivalries, economic disruptions, and rapid technological transformation driven by artificial intelligence.

On South Asia, he expressed concern over recent "deliberate acts of aggression" in the region, condemning attempts to incite war hysteria and escalate tensions.

He described the decision to place the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance as "illegal and unilateral," warning it posed a serious threat to regional stability and demanding its immediate reversal.

He cautioned that global challenges were intensifying even as "our collective ability to respond is weakening," noting that multilateralism was "under siege" and the international system increasingly fragmented.

He said the moment demanded "leadership and dialogue — not divisions," adding that divisive bloc politics and strategic confrontation were "not tenable for the future."

Pakistan, he underscored, seeks to advance convergences and reduce divergences through dialogue, connectivity, and peaceful dispute resolution.

Highlighting Pakistan's diplomatic efforts, Dar recalled the country's July presidency of the UN Security Council, during which it led the unanimous adoption of Resolution 2788 (2025) aimed at strengthening mechanisms for peaceful settlement of disputes. He reaffirmed Pakistan's support for strengthening global governance, including through China's Global Governance Initiative.

Dar stressed that the Asia-Pacific must not be turned into a stage for major-power rivalry, arguing that constructs such as the "Indo-Pacific" overlook the region's cultural, historical and geographical realities. "Inclusivity, not exclusivity, must guide our cooperative approach," he said.

Sustainable peace in South Asia, he said, required the peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.

Regarding Afghanistan, Dar reaffirmed Pakistan's desire for a peaceful, stable and economically connected neighbour. He urged the Afghan Taliban authorities to "act responsibly," honour their commitments, and ensure that terrorism is rooted out from Afghan soil.

Addressing the Middle East, the Deputy Prime Minister condemned the ongoing atrocities in Gaza and the continued Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories.

He welcomed the Sharm El-Sheikh Peace Agreement facilitated by President Trump and Arab-Islamic countries.