Says technical teams from Pakistan, Qatar will continue to remain engaged with US and Iran
Pakistan hailed the Iran-US peace process as a triumph of diplomacy, saying the Islamabad MoU. follow-up talks in Switzerland had strengthened confidence in dialogue, with technical teams from both countries expected to engage in the coming weeks.
"TheIslamabad MOUand the Lucerne Summit reinforce our faith in dialogue. diplomacy as the most effective means for peaceful settlement of disputes and conflicts," Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said during his weekly media briefing on Wednesday.
The spokesperson said PM Shehbaz had announced on June 18 that the Islamabad MoU between the US. Iran had been signed electronically, describing it as a historic development. As a follow-up to the agreement, Pakistan. Qatar hosted the first high-level committee meeting under the framework of the Islamabad MoU in Bürgenstock, Switzerland, on June 21.
"The meeting was successful in helping the two parties reach an understanding on various aspects of the implementation of the Islamabad MOU," Andrabi said.
He highlighted key outcomes of the talks. including the establishment of a high-level committee to provide political oversight of the mediation process. Chief negotiators, he said, would report regularly to the committee. lead working groups focused on nuclear issues, sanctions, monitoring and dispute resolution.
"The agreement has been reached upon a roadmap towards reaching a final deal in 60 days," he said.
🔴LIVE: Spokesperson's Weekly Press Briefing 26-06-2026 at Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Islamabadhttps://t.co/8iCRIClkno
He added that the parties had also agreed to establish a communication channel to prevent incidents. miscommunication, particularly to ensure the safe passage of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. Another outcome was the creation of a deconfliction cell involving the parties, the Lebanese government and the mediators.
According to Andrabi, a technical committee meeting was subsequently held in Bürgenstock on June 22 under Pakistani and Qatari mediation. "The technical teams from Pakistan. Qatar will continue to remain engaged with technical teams from the US and Iran in the coming weeks for effective implementation of the Islamabad MOU."
He welcomed what he described as positive recognition from governments. international partners for Pakistan's role in promoting regional peace and de-escalation. "Such recognition reflects international communities' trust in Pakistan's commitment to advancing dialogue, peace, security. stability across the region and beyond."
"Pakistan was grateful to countries that had supported its efforts," he said.
Andrabi also reserved special praise for Pakistani media organisations, saying the media demonstrated "professionalism. maturity" by respecting the strict requirements of confidentiality, discretion and trust that are "indispensable to any credible facilitator or mediation effort."
"You restrained yourself. avoided speculation and sensationalism, which contributed positively to an environment conducive to dialogue and confidence-building measures," he added. He expressed hope that the media would continue extending similar support as negotiations progressed.
Andrabi said Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian hadvisitedPakistan at the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. was accompanied by a high-level delegation, including the Iranian foreign minister.
During the visit, Pezeshkian met President Asif Ali Zardari, held talks with PM Shehbaz. also met Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir. "The two sides reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral relations. explored avenues to further deepen cooperation across diverse sectors," Andrabi said, adding that regional and international developments of mutual interest also came under discussion.
The spokesperson also highlighted thefourth meeting of the foreign ministersof Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye. Egypt, known as the Hour Four grouping, which was held in Cairo on June 21. Deputy Prime Minister. Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar led Pakistan's delegation, and the four ministers reviewed progress on the Islamabad MoU and developments arising from the Bürgenstock talks.
The four countries subsequently issued a joint statement, while Dar, together with the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt. Türkiye, called on Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and conveyed the greetings and best wishes of Pakistan's president, prime minister and chief of army staff.
Andrabi said Dar had maintained an intensive diplomatic outreach campaign over the previous 10 days, speaking with the foreign ministers of Switzerland, Türkiye, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Japan, China, Canada, Bahrain, Azerbaijan, Iran. Uzbekistan, as well as the European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs.
Turning to the issue of Pakistani crew members being held by Somali pirates. Andrabi said the matter remained high on the government's agenda. "The government of Pakistan has launched a sustained diplomatic and overall political campaign to free the hostages."
He said the foreign office remained engaged with Somali authorities at multiple levels, while a technical team from Pakistan's mission in Djibouti had been visiting Somalia. engaging relevant stakeholders. Dar had also spoken with his Somali counterpart, while senior officials from both countries remained in contact.
Andrabi said an inter-ministerial meeting had been held to coordinate Pakistan's response,. it had been decided to prioritise negotiations and humanitarian channels to secure the release of the seafarers.
He added that Pakistan was also seeking assistance from friendly countries, international organisations, local NGOs. other interlocutors, including veteran human rights activist Ansar Burney, whom Additional Foreign Secretary Hamid Asghar had recently met.
"This is an issue which is also very close to our hearts because of the involvement of the families,. we can understand their pain. But as I said, the release is a difficult situation which is being addressed," Andrabi said.
On Palestine, Andrabi said Pakistan had joined eight Islamic. Arab countries in issuing a joint statement on June 18 condemning escalating violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. The statement specifically denounced recent attacks on places of worship, including the Grand Mosque in Jaliliya and Al-Farooq near Ramallah.
The signatories stressed that such attacks constituted violations of the sanctity of religious sites, international law, international humanitarian law. relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
The spokesperson also announced that Pakistan had facilitated the repatriation of 30 Iranian nationals this week. They included eight Iranian fishermen rescued by the British vessel MMA Weller after their boat ran aground. 22 crew members from the vessel Lenon Davina, which had been interdicted by US authorities.
"We remain in close contact with the Iranian, US,. UK authorities to ensure safe transit of Iranian nationals to their homeland, and we remain committed to the humanitarian cooperation extended to all parties if possible."
Andrabi concluded by highlighting Pakistan's role at the United Nations, where the Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2823 on Pakistan's initiative. with Denmark's support. The resolution, co-sponsored by 153 UN member states, seeks to strengthen accountability for crimes committed against UN peacekeepers.
"Introduced by Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, the measure reaffirms that attacks on peacekeepers are unacceptable. may constitute war crimes, while calling for credible investigations, prosecutions and accountability for perpetrators," he added.
He said that it also mandated an annual progress report from the UN Secretariat. the appointment of a senior UN focal point on the issue.
"The resolution reflects Pakistan's leadership role in enhancing safety. effectiveness of UN peacekeeping reforms as well as UN peacekeeping operations," Andrabi concluded.
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