By The South Asia Times 

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan has called on Afghanistan's Taliban authorities to ensure that Afghan territory is not used for attacks against other countries, particularly Pakistan, while reaffirming its commitment to facilitating diplomatic negotiations between the United States and Iran.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar made the remarks on Tuesday while addressing the inaugural session of the Margalla Dialogue 2026 in Islamabad, where he outlined Pakistan's foreign policy priorities amid growing international tensions and shifting geopolitical alliances.

Dar said terrorism originating from Afghan territory remained a serious security challenge for Pakistan, adding that Islamabad would continue protecting its people while supporting efforts to establish a peaceful, stable and economically integrated Afghanistan.

"Progress towards that objective requires effective action to ensure that Afghan territory is not used for terrorism against other countries, particularly Pakistan," he said.

Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have remained strained over Islamabad's allegations that militant groups, particularly the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), operate from Afghan territory. The Taliban administration has repeatedly rejected accusations that Afghanistan is being used to threaten other countries.

Pakistan highlights role in US-Iran diplomacy

Dar also highlighted Pakistan's diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions between Washington and Tehran, saying Islamabad had facilitated talks between the United States and Iran in April 2026.

He said the subsequent Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding had provided an important foundation for further negotiations.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chief of Defence Forces and Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, and the Foreign Ministry had remained closely engaged in efforts to facilitate dialogue and advance regional peace, Dar added.

He said Pakistan was also coordinating with China and regional partners, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Egypt, to sustain diplomatic engagement and bring the parties back to the negotiating table.

Dar referred to a five-point initiative jointly announced by Pakistan and China following his visit to Beijing on March 31, aimed at restoring peace and stability in the Gulf and Middle East.

He said Pakistan would continue working with regional and international partners to prevent further escalation.

Warning to India over regional stability

Addressing tensions in South Asia, Dar said unresolved disputes, military asymmetries and unilateral actions continued to undermine regional stability.

He described Pakistan's response to what he called India's unprovoked aggression in May 2025 as decisive and calibrated, citing Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos as evidence of Islamabad's determination to defend its sovereignty.

"Strategic uncertainty must not become a justification for strategic adventurism," he said.

Dar reiterated that the resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions remained essential for lasting peace in South Asia.

He also warned against attempts to use shared water resources as political or strategic instruments, saying Pakistan would protect its rights under the Indus Waters Treaty.

His remarks come amid continuing tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours over Kashmir, security and water-sharing arrangements.

Pakistan calls for a multipolar world order

On broader international developments, Dar said the emerging global order was being shaped by intensifying great-power competition, prolonged conflicts, economic uncertainty and rapid technological advances.

He argued that a more representative multipolar international system could provide developing countries with a greater voice in global affairs, but warned that multipolarity alone would not guarantee peace or fairness.

Pakistan, he said, supported an international order based on the UN Charter, sovereign equality, territorial integrity and the peaceful settlement of disputes.

He also criticised the selective application of international law, citing the humanitarian situation in Gaza, Israel's continued occupation and the expansion of settlements in Palestinian territories.

Dar said Pakistan's recent engagement with the UN Security Council had focused on strengthening international mechanisms for peaceful dispute resolution.

He referred to UN Security Council Resolution 2788, adopted during Pakistan's presidency of the Council in July 2025, and a Pakistan-initiated presidential statement adopted by consensus on November 5, 2026.

China, US and regional partnerships

Dar described Pakistan's strategic partnership with China as a cornerstone of its foreign policy while emphasising the importance of maintaining constructive relations with the United States.

He also highlighted Islamabad's expanding engagement with Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, Egypt, Iran, Gulf countries, Europe and Central Asian states.

Referring to the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement with Saudi Arabia, he said the arrangement was defensive, directed against no country and intended to contribute to regional stability.

He said Pakistan's foreign policy aimed to preserve cooperation with different international partners despite growing global divisions.

The foreign minister also stressed the importance of economic diplomacy, foreign investment, technology cooperation and access to international markets, arguing that domestic economic resilience was essential to Pakistan's ability to navigate geopolitical uncertainty.

He called for greater international support for developing countries, particularly in climate adaptation, technology access and affordable financing.

The Margalla Dialogue 2026, organised by the Islamabad Policy Research Institute, is being held under the theme "Global Order in Transition: Navigating Strategic Uncertainty