ISLAMABAD (special crosspondent) – President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday warmly welcomed the signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran, describing it as a historic moment for the region and the world.

In a formal message, the president stated that the conflict, which began in February, inflicted immense suffering upon the peoples of the region and caused severe disruption to global energy supplies, trade, and economic stability. He expressed his hope that such a tragedy would never be repeated and that the nations of the region would now devote their energies to development, prosperity, and the well-being of their peoples.

Acknowledging Diplomatic Efforts

President Zardari paid tribute to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, and Minister for Interior Mohsin Naqvi for their tireless diplomatic efforts. He noted that their work contributed significantly to bringing the parties to an agreement. He further observed that Pakistan had played a principled, balanced, and constructive role throughout the crisis, consistently calling for dialogue, restraint, and a peaceful resolution of disputes while maintaining engagement with all parties concerned. The successful conclusion of the Islamabad Talks marks a significant diplomatic achievement.

International Leadership and Support

The president also appreciated the leadership of US President Donald Trump, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei, President Masoud Pezeshkian, and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi for ensuring a diplomatic resolution of the conflict and advancing the cause of peace. The accord comes amid heightened regional tensions involving Iran. He also acknowledged the valuable support of brotherly nations, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Egypt, as well as the Russian Federation and China, whose efforts and encouragement of dialogue were instrumental in the pursuit of peace. The role of key figures such as Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar was pivotal in the extensive bilateral discussions.

A Call for Lasting Peace

President Zardari called upon all parties to implement the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) fully and to expedite efforts to reach the final agreement within the stipulated timeframe to ensure lasting peace and progress. “Heroes are those who have ended the war, not those who are eager to start one,” the president remarked.

He expressed hope that this MoU, which has “Islamabad and Pakistan written all over it,” would serve as the foundation for a durable and comprehensive peace in the region. This, he said, would enable nations to focus on economic development, energy cooperation, and the advancement of their peoples. “War brings nothing but destruction and misery. Peace is the only path to progress. Pakistan will continue to stand in solidarity with all brotherly nations of the region in their collective journey towards peace and prosperity,” the president added.