ISLAMABAD: After the successful signing of 14-point Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and the key direct talks between Iran and the United States at the Lucerne Summit, Pakistan says that this “triumph for diplomacy” now sees technical level talks starting on Tuesday in Burgenstock.
“The technical level talks are on. I believe that the talks will resume next week, probably on Tuesday. Basically, this is a temporary gap, and it is not as such a break. Our delegation was there in Burgenstock for the 22nd June talks. I understand that our delegation will also be there when the talks resume next week.
“At the 22nd June technical level talks, Pakistan was represented by our Special Secretary, head of United Nations & OIC Division, Ambassador Nabeel Munir. I understand Ambassador Nabeel Munir will continue to represent Pakistan for now,” said Tahir Andrabi, Spokesperson at the Foreign Office, during the weekly media briefing.
He added that it was too early to comment on the future of Iran-United States talks, noting that the current focus is on technical-level discussions and positive outcomes, while implementation mechanisms will be worked out by the parties during negotiations.
On the final status of Hormuz, the spokesperson said talks continue as blockade has been lifted. “I think the situation returning to the status quo ante will take time. We have taken note of parleys between Iran and Oman on this subject. As regard the future of the Strait of Hormuz, Pakistan has supported the restoration of status quo ante on the Strait of Hormuz. We have also supported GCC initiatives, any GCC initiative on this,” he added.
As regards the R4 (Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Egypt), we have also supported a regional ownership to regional problems, he said, adding: “As such, R4 would obviously be supporting any regional solution to this issue, particularly with respect to respecting the sovereignty, territorial integrity and the natural maritime boundaries of the littoral state to the Gulf and Strait of Hormuz.”
He admitted that he was unaware if the issue of the Iran-Pakistan Gas Pipeline project was raised during Tuesday’s delegation-level talks headed by Pakistan’s prime minister and the Iranian president.
On Afghanistan, the spokesperson explained that in October 2025 and events running up to that, the security situation crossed a certain threshold of Pakistan’s patience. “Afterwards, it was not possible for Pakistan to just let the diplomacy work and not care for our security, and for protection of our civilians and law enforcement personnel, who were incessantly murdered by terrorist attacks emanating from Afghanistan, conducted by Afghan nationals, engineered from the Afghan soil. If diplomacy has to restart, some concrete, verifiable commitments from Afghan side are essential to restore confidence and to ensure that the Afghan soil will not be used for attacks against Pakistan and for killing Pakistan nationals by the Afghan nationals, or any other third country, second country nationals who are killing Pakistanis from Afghanistan. This killing must stop,” he asserted.
Commenting of the hijacking of oil tanker MT Honour 25 off the coast of Somalia, with 10 Pakistani nationals among the crew members held hostage, he said: “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through the Embassy of Pakistan in Djibouti, continues to maintain regular contact with Somali authorities and other stakeholders and remains committed to securing the safe and early release of the Pakistani nationals.”
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif received a telephone call from Qatar Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on Wednesday evening. During their most warm and cordial conversation, the emir congratulated the prime minister on Pakistan’s successful diplomatic efforts that led to the historic signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the US and Iran. He appreciated the prime minister’s leadership and expressed Qatar’s full support for Pakistan’s peace efforts.
The prime minister thanked the Qatar emir’s consistent and steadfast support in the peace efforts, which had succeeded, thanks to the untiring efforts of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir as well as the important roles played by brotherly countries, including Qatar. Both the leaders expressed satisfaction with the first round of technical level talks held in Burgenstock and stated that positive momentum must continue so that negotiations could be successful. In this regard, the two leaders agreed that it would be important to safeguard the talks from detractors. The emir also conveyed his deep condolences over the death of a Pakistani national in the tragic fire incident in Barzan gas facility in Ras Laffan industrial city.
Separately, the prime minister received a telephone call from Governor of Tabuk Province, Saudi Arabia, Prince Fahd Bin Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. During their most warm and cordial conversation, the governor congratulated the prime minister on Pakistan’s remarkable diplomatic efforts that resulted in the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the United States and Iran, a PM Office news release said.
Meanwhile, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi reaffirmed Beijing’s unwavering support for Pakistan’s mediation efforts, underlining the importance of peaceful settlement of disputes as enshrined in the UN Charter. He expressed these remarks during a telephone call to Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. The Chinese foreign minister said China praised Pakistan’s untiring efforts for peace and stability, marked by continuous outreach, active mediation and sustained engagement. He congratulated the DPM and the Pakistani leadership for successfully conducting this mediation process and signing the Islamabad MoU.
In his remarks, Ishaq Dar expressed appreciation for China’s steadfast support to the peace process, with a particular emphasis on the four-point peace proposal of President Xi Jinping and the five-point Pakistan-China peace initiative.
