PAKISTAN’S diplomatic relevance was affirmed during Imran Khan’s UN visit. In his interactions with President Trump he urged him to embark on the early resumption of the US-Afghan Taliban talks. This has already come about.

Similarly Prime Minister Khan was asked by both President Trump and Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman to help diffuse their escalating confrontation with Iran and he initiated a mediatory effort in his meeting with President Hassan Rouhani.

The de-escalation of tension between Saudi Arabia and Iran, and the steps to normalise their relations, are in Pakistan’s national interests for multiple reasons. This endeavour must be pursued actively and boldly by outlining a feasible path to: reduce tensions, disavow the use of force and external intervention, promote political solutions to the conflicts in Yemen and Syria, sectarian reconciliation in Iraq and stability in Lebanon. At an appropriate time, a regional peace conference with the participation of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Iran, Turkey and Pakistan could be a useful modality to advance these objectives.

Pakistan has a historic opportunity to play a constructive role in resolving regional disputes and at the same time promote its own national interests. Success, however, will depend on the skill of our foreign ministry.

Umar Hameed

Turbat

Published in Dawn, October 12th, 2019