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ISLAMABAD — Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will undertake an official visit to New York from May 26 to 28, during which he will participate in high-level United Nations Security Council meetings, according to Pakistani officials. The visit comes at a critical juncture in regional diplomacy, as Pakistan continues to position itself as a mediator in the ongoing US-Iran confrontation.

Coverage Comparison

Reports from Pakistan's Dawn newspaper indicate that Dar's itinerary includes attendance at a high-level UN Security Council debate under China's presidency, which will be chaired by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The debate is set to focus on 'Upholding the Purposes and Principles of the UN Charter and Strengthening the UN-centred International System.'

According to a press release from Pakistan's Permanent Mission to the UN, Dar will deliver a statement during the debate and hold a series of bilateral meetings with counterparts and UN leadership on the sidelines. The schedule also includes a meeting with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, as well as bilateral talks with foreign ministers from Azerbaijan, Costa Rica, Bahrain, Cuba, the Czech Republic, Colombia, and others.

Coverage also notes that Dar is expected to attend a dinner hosted by Pakistan's permanent representative to the UN, with ambassadors and permanent representatives from various Arab-Islamic and European countries.

Key Claims

  • Dar's Meeting with Guterres — Dar met UN Secretary-General António Guterres, with discussions covering the situation in the Middle East and West Asia. During the meeting, Dar thanked Guterres for his support of Pakistan's mediation efforts in the US-Iran conflict, according to Pakistan's Foreign Office.
  • Pakistan's Mediation Role — The Foreign Office highlighted Pakistan's successful hosting of the Islamabad Talks in April, which it described as an important diplomatic breakthrough. The April 8 Pakistan-brokered ceasefire continues to remain in place, according to Pakistani officials.
  • UN Security Council Debate — Dar addressed a high-level UN Security Council debate on May 26, warning that another conflict in the Middle East would have serious regional and global consequences. He reiterated Pakistan's support for an independent, viable, and contiguous State of Palestine.
  • Iranian FM Visa Issues — Reports indicate that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was invited to participate in the UN Security Council debate, but was denied a visa to travel to New York — a claim carried by diplomatic sources and not independently confirmed by official statements at the time of writing.
  • China's Presidency — The debate was held under China's presidency of the Security Council, which Islamabad welcomed as a timely initiative highlighting the importance of multilateralism.

Perspectives

Pakistan's Diplomatic Outreach

Pakistani officials have framed Dar's visit as part of a broader effort to de-escalate tensions and strengthen multilateralism. In his address, Dar said Islamabad had consistently advocated for restraint and dialogue because of its ties with both Tehran and Washington. He also referenced a 'Five Point Initiative for Restoring Peace and Stability in the Gulf and Middle East Region' jointly announced with China in March.

Regional and Global Context

The UN debate convened by China comes at a sensitive time in US-Iran relations. Diplomatic sources told Dawn that several countries, including Cambodia, Costa Rica, Bahrain, and Azerbaijan, were expected to send foreign ministers to the meeting. All five permanent Security Council members were scheduled to attend, with the US possibly represented by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, though that was not officially confirmed.

Uncertainties

While Pakistani state media have consistently reported on Dar's engagements, some details — such as the exact nature of his bilateral meetings and the full scope of outcomes — remain subject to official confirmation. The claim regarding the Iranian foreign minister's visa denial was carried by a single outlet and has not yet been independently verified.