Pakistan’s Foreign Office announced on Wednesday that technical-level negotiations between the United States and Iran under the framework of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) are expected to resume next week. The development comes as Islamabad receives growing international recognition for its role in facilitating dialogue and promoting regional peace and stability.
Speaking at the weekly news briefing, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said Pakistan remains actively engaged, alongside Qatar, in facilitating the implementation of the Islamabad MoU signed on June 18. The MoU paved the way for direct engagement between Washington and Tehran after months of heightened tensions.
Islamabad MoU and Lucerne Summit Reinforce Diplomatic Faith
Andrabi stated that the Islamabad MoU and the subsequent high-level engagement in Switzerland have reinforced Pakistan’s longstanding belief that dialogue and diplomacy remain the most effective means for resolving disputes and preventing conflict. “The Islamabad MoU and the Lucerne Summit reinforce our faith in dialogue and diplomacy as the most effective means for the peaceful settlement of disputes and conflicts,” he said.
He added that Pakistan welcomes the positive recognition it has received from countries and international partners regarding its constructive role in promoting peace, de-escalation, and regional stability. The spokesperson said the international appreciation reflects confidence in Pakistan’s commitment to advancing dialogue and peaceful conflict resolution across the region and beyond.
First High-Level Committee Meeting in Switzerland
Providing details of recent developments, Andrabi said Pakistan and Qatar hosted the first High-Level Committee meeting under the Islamabad MoU framework in Burgenstock, Switzerland, on June 21. The meeting brought together senior representatives from Pakistan, Iran, the United States, and Qatar to discuss mechanisms for implementing the understanding reached between Washington and Tehran.
Pakistan was represented by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir. The United States delegation was led by Vice President J.D. Vance, Iran was represented by Speaker of Parliament Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, and Qatar’s delegation was headed by Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani.
Joint Statement and Framework for Negotiations
Andrabi said the meeting succeeded in helping both sides reach an understanding on various aspects of implementing the Islamabad MoU and resulted in a joint statement issued by Pakistan and Qatar as mediators. Under the agreed framework, a high-level committee has been established to provide political oversight of the mediation process, while chief negotiators from both sides will report regularly to the committee and lead specialized working groups on nuclear issues, sanctions, monitoring mechanisms, and dispute resolution.
The roadmap also envisages reaching a comprehensive agreement within 60 days, establishing direct communication channels to prevent misunderstandings and incidents, ensuring safe passage for commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, and creating a de-confliction mechanism involving Lebanon under the facilitation of Pakistan and Qatar.
Technical-Level Talks and Breakthrough
The spokesperson said a technical-level meeting between the United States and Iran was held in Burgenstock on June 22 and described the continuation of the talks as a significant positive development. Responding to questions regarding reports of a breakthrough, Andrabi said discussions were continuing and would likely resume next Tuesday following a temporary pause. “The fact that the parties remain at the table and the talks are continuing is itself a major positive development and can certainly be characterized as a breakthrough,” he said.
He added that Pakistan’s delegation participated in the June 22 talks and will continue to engage in future rounds. Ambassador Nabeel Munir, Pakistan’s Special Secretary and head of the UN and OIC Division, represented Islamabad at the technical-level discussions and is expected to continue in that role.
Sanctions Relief and Maritime Navigation
Addressing questions about sanctions relief and freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, the spokesperson said mechanisms outlined in the joint statement provide pathways for progress on both issues. He explained that working groups established under the Islamabad MoU framework would address sanctions, nuclear matters, and dispute resolution, while progress on sanctions relief and maritime navigation would emerge gradually as negotiations advance.
Andrabi said Pakistan supports the restoration of the status quo in the Strait of Hormuz and backs regional initiatives aimed at ensuring freedom of navigation while respecting the rights and sovereignty of littoral states. He noted that while various legal interpretations exist regarding the status of the strategic waterway, Pakistan views the Strait of Hormuz primarily as a critical maritime route essential for global trade, energy security, and international supply chains. The spokesperson stressed that maintaining uninterrupted maritime traffic through the strait remains vital for regional and global economic stability.
Iranian President’s Visit to Pakistan
Turning to bilateral relations with Iran, Andrabi said Iranian President Dr Masoud Pezeshkian’s visit to Pakistan this week holds considerable historical significance as it is the first visit by the Iranian president following the recent conflict involving Iran. He said the visit provides an opportunity for both countries to reaffirm their commitment to peace, regional stability, and stronger bilateral cooperation.
During meetings between President Pezeshkian and Pakistani leadership, the two sides reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral relations and explored opportunities for deeper cooperation in trade, energy, border security, regional connectivity, and people-to-people exchanges. The spokesperson said discussions also covered implementation of understandings reached during the Iranian president’s previous visit and reviewed progress on existing agreements and memoranda.
Iran-Pakistan Gas Pipeline and Economic Cooperation
Responding to questions regarding the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project and broader economic cooperation, Andrabi said future progress on trade, connectivity, and energy initiatives will largely depend on the pace of sanctions relief. He noted that restrictions on Iran originate from multiple sources, including the United States and European countries, and that economic opportunities will expand as sanctions are eased through ongoing negotiations.
The spokesperson described the Iranian president’s visit as historically important and said Tehran has once again reaffirmed confidence in Pakistan’s role as a facilitator and mediator in the ongoing peace process.
Pakistan’s Wider Diplomatic Outreach
Highlighting Pakistan’s wider diplomatic outreach, Andrabi said Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has engaged extensively with counterparts from Switzerland, China, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, Egypt, Japan, Italy, Canada, Bahrain, Azerbaijan, Iran, and Uzbekistan in recent weeks as Islamabad worked to build support for regional peace efforts. He also highlighted the June 21 meeting of the R-4 grouping in Cairo, where the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Turkiye reviewed progress on the Islamabad MoU and exchanged views on regional peace, security, and stability.
Afghanistan: Need for Verifiable Assurances
On Afghanistan, Andrabi said Pakistan remains committed to diplomacy but stressed that future progress depends on verifiable assurances from Kabul that Afghan territory will not be used by terrorist groups to launch attacks against Pakistan. He said Islamabad has pursued extensive diplomatic engagement with Afghanistan between 2021 and 2025, implementing a wide range of initiatives related to trade, connectivity, education, and economic cooperation. However, persistent terrorist attacks originating from Afghan soil have created serious security concerns and undermined confidence. “If diplomacy is to move forward, there must be concrete and verifiable assurances that Afghan territory will not be used for attacks against Pakistan,” he said.
The spokesperson emphasized that Pakistan holds no hostility towards the Afghan people and continues to view them as close neighbours with deep historical, cultural, and social ties.
Humanitarian Issues: Hostages and Repatriation
Addressing humanitarian issues, Andrabi said Pakistan has intensified diplomatic efforts to secure the release of 10 Pakistani crew members held hostage following the hijacking of the oil tanker MT Honour 25 off the Somali coast. He said Pakistan’s embassy in Djibouti has engaged Somali authorities and other stakeholders while senior Pakistani officials continue diplomatic contacts to secure the hostages’ safe and early release.
The spokesperson also announced that Pakistan has facilitated the repatriation of 30 Iranian nationals, including fishermen rescued at sea and crew members from a vessel intercepted by US authorities. He said Pakistan remains committed to humanitarian cooperation and will continue coordinating with Iranian, American, and British authorities to ensure the safe return of affected individuals.
Palestine and UN Security Council Resolution
On the Palestinian issue, Andrabi said Pakistan has joined eight Islamic and Arab countries in strongly condemning escalating violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, including attacks on mosques north of Ramallah. He reiterated Pakistan’s position that attacks on places of worship violate international law, international humanitarian law, and relevant United Nations resolutions. The spokesperson drew a distinction between the situations in Lebanon and Palestine, arguing that while ceasefire arrangements involving sovereign states can be addressed through diplomatic mechanisms, the situation in Palestine involves ongoing Israeli actions against a population living under occupation.
In another significant diplomatic achievement, Andrabi highlighted the unanimous adoption by the UN Security Council of Resolution 2823, jointly initiated by Pakistan and Denmark, aimed at strengthening accountability for crimes committed against UN peacekeepers. Co-sponsored by a record 153 UN member states, the resolution calls for investigations, prosecutions, and accountability for attacks on peacekeeping personnel and establishes new mechanisms to strengthen the protection of UN missions worldwide. The spokesperson said the resolution demonstrates Pakistan’s continued leadership in multilateral diplomacy and underscores its commitment to international peace and security.
Media’s Role in Mediation
Andrabi also praised the Pakistani media for its responsible handling of developments related to the US-Iran peace process, saying journalists have demonstrated professionalism by respecting the confidentiality and discretion required for successful mediation efforts. “The media’s restraint helped create an environment conducive to dialogue and confidence-building and reflected a commitment to the national interest and the highest professional standards,” he said.
