Islamabad MoU opened path towards de-escalation, settlement: President Zardari

Says there can be no durable peace where the right of peoples to self-determination is denied

President Asif Ali Zardari said the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding had opened a path towards de-escalation and a negotiated settlement of the conflict between Iran and the United States, as the world community observed the International Day of Peace on Monday.

In his message on the day, observed annually on September 21, Zardari said Pakistan remained engaged in efforts to sustain dialogue and achieve durable peace for the people of the region and the wider world. He said the subsequent high-level talks at Bürgenstock, Switzerland, had carried the diplomatic effort forward by focusing on implementation of the Islamabad MoU.

Message of the President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan on the International Day of Peace (21 September 2026)

The International Day of Peace reminds us that lasting peace can only be achieved through dialogue, diplomacy, justice and full respect for international law and… pic.twitter.com/a6E0K0FxsM

— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) September 20, 2026

The president said lasting peace could only be achieved through dialogue, diplomacy, justice and full respect for international law and the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.

“Pakistan remains firmly committed to international peace and security and to a strong, effective and inclusive multilateral system with the UN at its core,” he said, reiterating that the country supported the peaceful settlement of disputes and a comprehensive approach to conflict prevention and resolution based on dialogue, diplomacy and collective action.

He highlighted that for decades, Pakistani peacekeepers had served in UN missions across the globe, helping protect civilians, support communities affected by conflict and create conditions in which peace could take root.

“Their service, often in difficult and dangerous circumstances, reflects Pakistan’s enduring commitment to international peace. We honour those who have given their lives in this cause and remain committed to supporting UN peacekeeping and peacebuilding efforts,” he added.

President Zardari said Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to end the conflict between Iran and the United States had been acknowledged internationally.

Read: Leaders stress dialogue for lasting peace

The president said the unanimous adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2788, sponsored by Pakistan during its presidency of the Council last year, had been a significant reaffirmation of the Security Council’s commitment to strengthening mechanisms for the peaceful settlement of disputes.

He reaffirmed that Pakistan believed there could be no durable peace where the right of peoples to self-determination was denied, and Security Council resolutions remained unimplemented, including in situations of foreign occupation such as Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

The president said this year’s International Day of Peace theme, “Invest in Peace: For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day”, reminded the world that peace required sustained efforts at every level.

On the Day of Peace, he called upon the international community to shoulder its responsibility by upholding the UN Charter, respecting international law and promoting just and durable resolutions of disputes through peaceful means.

“We call for continued support for de-escalation in West Asia and beyond. Pakistan stands ready as a trusted partner in this collective endeavour for a more peaceful and prosperous world,” President Zardari remarked.