ASIA/PAKISTAN - Catholic politician Navid emphasizes Pakistan's continued mediation efforts in the war in the Middle East to achieve peace for the benefits of all

Rome (Fides News Agency) - “I am proud that Pakistan has done its utmost to bring together all the actors involved in the war in the Middle East and invite them to a negotiating table in Islamabad. Of course, this is not easy after such a serious conflict, and it is hardly possible to achieve a result in a single meeting. Pakistan has begun and is continuing to cooperate with peace-loving and allied countries. Mediation efforts are ongoing, and the leaders of our government continue to strive for a solution to the problem and for progress,” Anthony Naveed, a Catholic politician from the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) and Vice President of the Parliament of Sindh Province in southern Pakistan, told Fides. “I believe that in this tragic situation, someone had to take the initiative and assume responsibility,” Naveed told Fides. “Because of the war in the Middle East, not only are the countries of the region in difficulty, but practically the entire world is suffering the consequences. Everyone is very worried, as escalation and a new world war are looming. As a Pakistani citizen and representative of the Pakistani nation, I am convinced that trying to make peace is an important task that benefits everyone and also corresponds to the Pope’s wish and appeal,” he emphasized.
Regarding Pakistan's role as mediator, Father Robert McCulloch, an Australian missionary of the Society of St. Columban, who has lived and worked in Pakistan for over 30 years and is now involved in the management of the Catholic St. Elisabeth Hospital in Hyderabad, told Fides: "Pakistan's involvement in mediating the US-Iranian war to achieve a ceasefire is quite logical, given that the country maintains relations with the US, shares a border with Iran, and has a Shiite population of about 20%, which has a clear affinity for Iran. Furthermore, Pakistan has a military alliance with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, making it an ideal mediator."
“If the mediation has stalled at the moment, even though it is not yet over, it is because the parties need to reach a consensus,” Father McCulloch continued. “You cannot go to a negotiating table with the attitude of simply presenting your own proposal without accepting compromises or changes, as the US has done. Dialogue is essential in mediation, and when presenting a proposal, you have to evaluate the other side’s counter-proposal, accept some of its elements, without issuing an ultimatum. We hope that the dialogue can be resumed in the coming days and lead to the long-awaited end of the war.” (PA) (Fides News Agency, 16/4/2026)

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