Brussels: Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar has said that durable peace in South Asia cannot be achieved without a peaceful resolution of Jammu and Kashmir dispute. He said that despite our desire for peace, calculated and premeditated attempts by some in our region, seek to escalate tensions. He said that Asia-Pacific should not be turned into a stage for strategic rivalry. He said that the illegal and unilateral step to hold the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) in abeyance is a real threat to regional stability; it must be reversed forthwith. Water must be a source of cooperation, not weaponized for politics, he said.This was stated by Ishaq Dar in his statement at the Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum Roundtable on Friday.Ishaq Dar said we stand at a pivotal moment. Our collective challenges include rising conflicts, prolonged foreign occupation, growing major power rivalries, a renewed global arms race, cyber and outer space weaponization, and emergence of new and destructive te chnologies.He said that instability is further amplified by trade wars, food insecurity, rising inflation, increasing economic inequalities, energy supply disruptions, and negative climate impacts. Simultaneously, AI led technology transformation is reshaping our lives rapidly, offering both unique opportunities and challenges. Yet our collective ability to respond is weakening, he said.Ishaq Dar said that multilateralism is under siege; while our international system remains fragmented. He said that these challenges necessitate leadership and dialogue-not divisions. We believe that divisive bloc politics and great-power contestation is not tenable for future. It is therefore imperative to renew our commitment to multilateralism, uphold the UN Charter, and act collectively, he said.Ishaq Dar said that with this in mind, Pakistan's security outlook seeks to maximize convergences and minimize divergences through dialogue, connectivity, and peaceful dispute resolution. This approach is reflected in our act ive support for a stronger global order, from strengthening the UN to making global governance more responsive through initiatives such as China's Global Governance Initiative (GGI). To this end, during our July Presidency of the UN Security Council, Pakistan spearheaded the unanimous adoption of Resolution 2788 (2025), that aimed at strengthening mechanisms for peaceful settlement of disputes.Ishaq Dar said that we believe that the Asia-Pacific should not be turned into a stage for strategic rivalry. Constructs like the Indo-Pacific overlook the region's geographical, historical, and cultural realities. Inclusivity, not exclusivity, must guide our cooperative approach. Our region recently saw deliberate acts of aggression risking peace and security.Ishaq Dar said that we appreciate the constructive role played by partners, including the EU High Representative in this regard. Despite our desire for peace, calculated and premeditated attempts by some in our region, seek to escalate tensions. He said that t he pattern involves: accusations and inflammatory rhetoric, inciting war hysteria, and then using it as a pretext for aggression and unilateral actions.He said that the illegal and unilateral step to hold the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) in abeyance is a real threat to regional stability; it must be reversed forthwith. Water must be a source of cooperation, not weaponized for politics.Ishaq Dar said that we believe that durable peace in South Asia cannot be achieved without a peaceful resolution of Jammu and Kashmir dispute, in accordance with relevant UNSC resolutions and Kashmiri aspirations.Ishaq Dar said that Afghanistan remains a consequential relationship for Pakistan and regional stability. We desire a peaceful, stable, friendly, connected, and prosperous Afghanistan, he said. We urge the Afghan Taliban Regime to act responsibly, honour their commitments, and work toward rooting out terrorism from its soil, he said.He said that the situation in Middle East impacts us all directly. The ongoing atro cities in Gaza must end, as must the illegal occupation of Palestinian lands.He said that Pakistan commends efforts by President Trump, along with Arab-Islamic countries, leading to the signing of the Peace Agreement in Sharm El-Sheikh, heralding ceasefire.Ishaq Dar said that we have supported the recent UNSC resolution on Gaza, expecting it to result in a permanent cessation of hostilities, Israeli withdrawal, unhindered humanitarian access, and reconstruction of Gaza. Our policy is grounded in the criticality of a credible, time-bound political process, consistent with relevant UNSC resolutions, leading to the establishment of an independent, sovereign, viable, and contiguous State of Palestine based on pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital, he said.He said that the conflict in Ukraine has disrupted energy and food markets, with real consequences for our people. He said that Pakistan's position on the conflict is anchored in the UN Charter. We hope for a peaceful resolution of the co nflict, he said.Ishaq Dar said that the model of cooperation adopted by the European Union offers many lessons for the international community, proving that inclusivity and interdependence are the surest foundations for peace and prosperity. For us, regional connectivity provides a similar pathway, he said.Ishaq Dar said that our vision of geo-economics is built around Pakistan's location as a hub for trade and energy connectivity, a bridge between Asia and Europe. Through synergies between the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and the EU's Global Gateway, green, digital, and transport corridors can strengthen a sustainable and interconnected EU-Asia-Pacific region, he said.