ISLAMABAD, 19 October, 2026 (Nosheen): Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has said Pakistan made every possible diplomatic effort to ease tensions between Iran and the United States and keep negotiations alive despite repeated setbacks. Addressing the Global Security Forum in Doha, Naqvi praised Qatar for consistently supporting dialogue and diplomatic initiatives aimed at reducing regional tensions. He highlighted the role of Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir in establishing channels of communication between Tehran and Washington, saying Pakistan’s efforts were aimed at preventing further escalation and averting a wider regional conflict. Naqvi said Pakistan remained committed to resolving disputes through negotiations and diplomacy, even when tensions threatened to derail the process. He revealed that he had accompanied Field Marshal Asim Munir on visits to Iran and participated in meetings with senior Iranian officials as part of efforts to maintain communication and create favourable conditions for dialogue. Despite several periods of extreme tension, Pakistan continued its diplomatic engagement and ensured that communication channels remained open, he added. The minister said Pakistan hosted negotiations in Islamabad in April, while the United States and Iran signed an Islamabad memorandum of understanding in June, reflecting efforts to bring the two sides closer. He also recalled a 16-hour negotiating process in Switzerland involving Pakistani and Qatari leaders, highlighting sustained diplomatic engagement to address the dispute. Praising Qatar’s role, Naqvi said Pakistan valued Doha’s consistent support for negotiations and its initiatives to reduce tensions across the region. He stressed that Pakistan and its partners were not seeking credit for diplomatic achievements; their primary objective was to prevent further confrontation and protect innocent lives. Naqvi said Pakistan envisioned a future in which disagreements could be resolved through dialogue before turning into wars, emphasising that diplomatic channels must remain open even during periods of heightened tension. He also highlighted the Makkah joint defence agreement involving Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye, describing it as an important step towards regional security. According to the minister, the agreement was defensive in nature and intended to strengthen security and defence cooperation rather than promote military action. Naqvi further called for stronger regional cooperation against terrorism, stressing the importance of improved intelligence-sharing arrangements and more effective joint efforts. He reiterated that sustained dialogue, diplomatic engagement and regional cooperation were essential to achieving lasting peace, warning that communication channels must not be allowed to close during times of crisis.