ISLAMABAD: Pakistan continuing its role as a mediator between Iran and the United States, welcomed the first Confidence Building Measure (CBM), when it succeeded in evacuating twenty-two Iranian crew members and ensuring that the Iranian container ship ‘MV Touska” will also be backloaded to Pakistan.
Normally, a ship is backloaded when it is loaded with a new cargo for a return journey after discharging its original shipment, allowing it to generate revenue rather than returning empty. “Pakistan expresses its appreciation to the United States and Iran, and remains committed to facilitating dialogue, diplomacy, and mediation for the regional peace and security,” said Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar in a statement on X.
Earlier, there were several reports doing the rounds on social media about Pakistan’s role in the rescue mission, but the Foreign Office officially confirmed on Monday. “As a confidence-building measure by the United States of America, twenty-two crew members held aboard the seized Iranian container ship, ‘MV Touska’, have been evacuated to Pakistan”, said the statement.
The individuals, who were flown to Pakistan last night (Sunday) were to be handed over to the Iranian authorities on Monday. “Iranian ship will also be backloaded to Pakistani territorial waters for return to its original owners after necessary repairs. These returns are being coordinated in tandem with the support of both the Iranian and US sides,” added the Foreign Office.
According to media reports, Touska, part of the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) that had been hit with sanctions by Washington, was boarded and seized by the US off the coast of Iran’s Chabahar port in the Gulf of Oman last month.
The US Central Command had said the ship’s crew failed to comply with repeated warnings over six hours, and the vessel was in violation of a US blockade. Iran had condemned the incident as “unlawful and a violation” of international law, and demanded the immediate release of the vessel, its sailors, and their families.
While the issue of the released Touska and its crew members must have been raised in a telephone call between Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and his Iranian counterpart Seyed Abbas Araqchi on Sunday night, the Foreign Office did not make a direct reference to it.
Instead it pointed out that Araghchi appreciated Pakistan for the constructive engagement and underscored that “dialogue and diplomacy remain the only viable path towards peaceful resolution of issues and achieving lasting peace and stability in the region and beyond.“
The discussion focused on regional situation and Pakistan’s ongoing diplomatic efforts for peace and stability in the region.
The telephone call comes at a time when Pakistan has been receiving written proposals for the United States from Iran and vice versa which have been passed on. There are no official statements about the exact contents of these proposals.
Meanwhile, it is expected that Dar will be attending the Oslo Forum in June. The invitation was conveyed when Deputy Foreign Minister of Norway, Andreas Motzfeldt Kravik, called on Dar at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The two sides held discussions on the evolving regional situation, with Dar underlying Pakistan’s continued efforts to promote engagement and dialogue for peace and stability in the region and beyond.
Kravik was all praise for Pakistan’s role and reiterated Norway’s support for Pakistan’s constructive role and its ongoing efforts towards a peaceful and durable resolution of the conflict. “Both the sides also explored avenues to further strengthen bilateral relations and deepen engagement across diverse sectors of mutual interest,” added the statement.
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar spoke with UK Foreign Secretary Ms Yvette Cooper.
According to a press release, they exchanged views on evolving regional developments. Foreign Secretary Cooper reiterated appreciation of Pakistan’s efforts to promote engagement and mediation between the parties for lasting peace in the region.
DPM/FM reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to dialogue and diplomacy in pursuit of regional and global peace and stability.
They also discussed global economic implications and other wider impacts of the conflict. Both sides agreed to remain in close contact on bilateral matters, as well as regional and international developments of mutual interest.
