Diplomacy in overdrive to avert military escalation

The Qatari emir appreciated Pakistan's efforts for peace in South Asia and said that Doha wanted to work with Islamabad towards ensuring de-escalation of the current crisis.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar held a telephone conversation with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Slovenia Tanja Fajon and discussed matters of bilateral and regional interest.

The DPM briefed her on the evolving regional situation, firmly rejecting India's baseless allegations and denounced unilateral actions, including holding the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance - a clear violation of international law.

FM Fajon called on both countries to exercise restraint and resolve issues through diplomacy, in accordance with international law. She welcomed Pakistan's offer for an independent and transparent investigation.

As non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening multilateral cooperation.

They also reviewed bilateral relations, and agreed to further deepen ties across all sectors.

Also, Dar apprised South Korea's Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul about the escalating regional situation arising from India's baseless propaganda and unilateral actions, including holding the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance.

The deputy prime minsiter had held a telephone conversation with the Korean Foreign Minister, a DPM's Office news release said.

Expressing concern over the situation, FM Cho underscored the importance of resolving issues through dialogue and diplomacy to maintain regional peace and security.

FM Cho appreciated the successful co-hosting of the Third United Nations Peacekeeping Ministerial Preparatory Meeting, in Islamabad last month. They also agreed to further strengthening bilateral relations through high-level exchanges.

Pak envoy to US

Pakistan's Ambassador to the United States Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, has urged President Donald Trump to step in and help ease soaring tensions between India and Pakistan as the US leader simultaneously strives to solve conflicts in Europe and Middle East.

"If we have a president who is standing for peace in the world as a pronounced objective during this administration, to establish a legacy as a peacemaker, or as someone who finished wars, defied wars and played a role in de-confliction, resolving the disputes, I don't think there is any higher or flashier flash point, particularly in nuclear terms, as Kashmir," Ambassador Sheikh said in an exclusive interview with Newsweek, a mass circulation American weekly magazine.

"We are not talking about one or two countries in that neighbourhood who are nuclear capable. So, that is how grave it is."

Ambassador Sheikh argued that the Trump administration would need to pursue a more comprehensive and sustained initiative than witnessed in past U.S. attempts to defuse crises that have erupted between the two countries.

"So, I think with this threat that we are facing, there is a latent opportunity to address the situation by not just to focus on an immediate de-escalatory measure, or a de-escalatory approach," Sheikh said, "but to try and get this out of the way in a fashion that there is something more durable and lasting in terms of a durable solution of the Kashmir dispute rather than allowing the situation to stay precarious and pop up again and again at the next drop of a hat on this side or that side."

Briefing to OIC's New York group

Pakistan's Ambassador to the UN, Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, has told OIC's New York Group of Ambassadors on Wednesday that India posed serious threats to regional peace and stability when he briefed them on the latest situation in South Asia.

A press release issued by the Pakistan Mission to the UN said that Ambassador Asim called India's "behaviour highly provocative, politically motivated and irresponsible."

The OIC members, it said, expressed their full support and solidarity with the government and people of Pakistan.

They emphasized the need for de-escalation through diplomatic engagement and addressing the root causes of the India-Pakistan tensions so as to ensure a just settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in line with the UN Security Council and OIC resThe Qatari emir appreciated Pakistan's efforts for peace in South Asia and said that Doha wanted to work with Islamabad towards ensuring de-escalation of the current crisis.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar held a telephone conversation with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Slovenia Tanja Fajon and discussed matters of bilateral and regional interest.

The DPM briefed her on the evolving regional situation, firmly rejecting India's baseless allegations and denounced unilateral actions, including holding the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance - a clear violation of international law.

FM Fajon called on both countries to exercise restraint and resolve issues through diplomacy, in accordance with international law. She welcomed Pakistan's offer for an independent and transparent investigation.

As non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening multilateral cooperation.

They also reviewed bilateral relations, and agreed to further deepen ties across all sectors.

Also, Dar apprised South Korea's Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul about the escalating regional situation arising from India's baseless propaganda and unilateral actions, including holding the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance.

The deputy prime minsiter had held a telephone conversation with the Korean Foreign Minister, a DPM's Office news release said.

Expressing concern over the situation, FM Cho underscored the importance of resolving issues through dialogue and diplomacy to maintain regional peace and security.

FM Cho appreciated the successful co-hosting of the Third United Nations Peacekeeping Ministerial Preparatory Meeting, in Islamabad last month. They also agreed to further strengthening bilateral relations through high-level exchanges.

Pak envoy to US

Pakistan's Ambassador to the United States Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, has urged President Donald Trump to step in and help ease soaring tensions between India and Pakistan as the US leader simultaneously strives to solve conflicts in Europe and Middle East.

"If we have a president who is standing for peace in the world as a pronounced objective during this administration, to establish a legacy as a peacemaker, or as someone who finished wars, defied wars and played a role in de-confliction, resolving the disputes, I don't think there is any higher or flashier flash point, particularly in nuclear terms, as Kashmir," Ambassador Sheikh said in an exclusive interview with Newsweek, a mass circulation American weekly magazine.

"We are not talking about one or two countries in that neighbourhood who are nuclear capable. So, that is how grave it is."

Ambassador Sheikh argued that the Trump administration would need to pursue a more comprehensive and sustained initiative than witnessed in past U.S. attempts to defuse crises that have erupted between the two countries.

"So, I think with this threat that we are facing, there is a latent opportunity to address the situation by not just to focus on an immediate de-escalatory measure, or a de-escalatory approach," Sheikh said, "but to try and get this out of the way in a fashion that there is something more durable and lasting in terms of a durable solution of the Kashmir dispute rather than allowing the situation to stay precarious and pop up again and again at the next drop of a hat on this side or that side."

Briefing to OIC's New York group

Pakistan's Ambassador to the UN, Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, has told OIC's New York Group of Ambassadors on Wednesday that India posed serious threats to regional peace and stability when he briefed them on the latest situation in South Asia.

A press release issued by the Pakistan Mission to the UN said that Ambassador Asim called India's "behaviour highly provocative, politically motivated and irresponsible."

The OIC members, it said, expressed their full support and solidarity with the government and people of Pakistan.

They emphasized the need for de-escalation through diplomatic engagement and addressing the root causes of the India-Pakistan tensions so as to ensure a just settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in line with the UN Security Council and OIC res