Guterres Backs Pakistan’s Emerging Role as US-Iran Mediator
News Desk
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s diplomatic role is gaining renewed international attention as both the United States and Iran recognize Islamabad as a potential bridge for dialogue, with UN Secretary-General António Guterres saying the trust placed in Pakistan by the two sides is a significant reflection of its standing in the international community.
Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad, Guterres described it as “excellent” that both Washington and Tehran viewed Pakistan as a mediator, stressing that such confidence was important at a time of growing geopolitical tensions.
The UN chief said Pakistan had a “special role” within the United Nations and had consistently contributed to international efforts promoting dialogue, multilateralism and cooperation.
He particularly praised Pakistan’s contribution to UN peacekeeping, saying Pakistani men and women had shown “great courage” while serving in missions around the world.
Despite Pakistan’s own struggle against terrorism, Guterres said, its contribution to international peace remained remarkable.
The secretary-general also welcomed Pakistan’s efforts to facilitate the dignified repatriation of Afghan refugees and commended the country’s leadership for its diplomatic engagement amid tensions involving the United States and Iran.
Dialogue remains the only way out
Guterres stressed that even the most difficult international disputes could ultimately be addressed through negotiations and dialogue.
He said the United Nations remained ready to assist countries in resolving conflicts, signalling that diplomatic channels must remain open despite rising tensions across different regions.
His remarks come as Pakistan seeks to navigate a complicated regional environment involving the United States, Iran, the Gulf and the wider Middle East.
Guterres warns Palestine cannot be sidelined
Turning to Palestine, Guterres said there could be no lasting peace without the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination.
He called for the immediate implementation of the Gaza peace plan and urged the international community to address the continuing suffering of Palestinians.
The UN chief warned against allowing the Palestinian question to disappear from the international agenda amid the wars and tensions in Ukraine and the Gulf.
While condemning the Hamas attacks of October 7, he stressed that the suffering of Palestinian civilians must also be brought to an end.
Climate crisis demands action from major emitters
On climate change, Guterres pointed to the disproportionate contribution of a relatively small number of countries to global emissions and called for urgent efforts to reduce environmentally harmful emissions.
He also reaffirmed the UN’s solidarity with Pakistan and expressed pleasure at returning to the country.
Recalling his 2022 visit, Guterres said his previous trip had taken place as Pakistan was struggling with the devastating floods that caused widespread destruction.
He also questioned why Africa continues to lack adequate representation on the UN Security Council, calling attention to the need for greater fairness in the global decision-making system.
Dar highlights gap between resolutions and reality
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, speaking alongside Guterres, said the international environment had become increasingly complex, with challenges involving Iran, the United States, the Houthis and the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait.
Dar identified a fundamental weakness in the international system: the gap between adopting UN resolutions and actually implementing them.
He pointed specifically to the Kashmir dispute, saying UN resolutions on the issue remained unimplemented.
Dar said Pakistan had immediately condemned Israel’s attack on Iran and had urged Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to exercise restraint.
He called for a stronger international mechanism to ensure compliance with UN decisions, including a system of accountability involving both penalties and rewards.
The foreign minister argued that without an effective implementation and accountability mechanism, international resolutions risked remaining declarations on paper rather than becoming meaningful instruments for resolving conflicts.
Pakistan’s diplomatic test
The remarks by Guterres and Dar place Pakistan’s diplomatic role under a sharper international spotlight. With Washington and Tehran both willing to recognize Islamabad’s potential as a mediator, Pakistan now faces an opportunity to translate diplomatic trust into a meaningful role in efforts to prevent further escalation.
For Islamabad, the challenge will be to balance its relationships with competing global and regional powers while maintaining its credibility as a neutral channel for dialogue.
