Pakistan's mediation role lauded in London: Foreign minister

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Friday stated that the officials he met in the United Kingdom appreciated Islamabad’s efforts to mediate between the United States and Iran, while addressing a media briefing in London.
 
FM Dar is on his official four-day visit to London, from Aug 24 to Aug 28, during which he held a series of meetings with senior officials.

FM Dar’s engagements come as Pakistan continues diplomatic efforts to promote dialogue, de-escalation, and negotiated outcomes in the Middle East while also seeking closer coordination with Britain on regional security issues and bilateral cooperation.
 
Addressing the media, FM Dar highlighted that the officials appreciated Pakistan's efforts to mediate between the United States and Iran, while praising the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chief of Defense Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir, and the leadership of Pakistan’s Foreign Office.

During his first meeting with the International Maritime Organization secretary, the foreign minister discussed the 10 Pakistanis held as captives by the Somali pirates.

The 10 Pakistanis were among 17 crew members aboard the Palau-flagged oil tanker MT Honour 25, which pirates seized off Somalia’s Puntland region on April 21.
 

 He further stated that there were certain international maritime principles and rules that countries need to follow, adding that Pakistan also follows them. 

“One of those principles is that you do not pay ransom and negotiate to secure the release of your people, because that would encourage pirates to continue carrying out such activities.” 

“In particular, it could encourage them to target countries whose nationals are on vessels so that they can receive ransom.”

During the media interaction, Dar also discussed his meeting with the Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey, calling it a “good and meaningful” meeting.

Yesterday, Dar held a series of meetings with senior British officials during his visit to London, discussing India’s treaty commitments, regional security, the Middle East and Pakistan-UK relations, according to the Foreign Office.