Mediator Pakistan says encouraging US and Iran to resume talks

Expressing concern over rising tensions between the US and Iran, Pakistan on Thursday called upon both sides to exercise restraint, saying it would encourage the United States and Iran to stop violence and resume talks under a memorandum of understanding (MoU) it helped mediate last month, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

"While the implementation of the MoU is facing challenges, Pakistan will continue to encourage all sides to end violence and resume technical-level talks in accordance with the MoU," Foreign Office Spokesman Tahir Hussain Andrabi told reporters in Islamabad.

Giving his weekly news briefing, Tahir Andrabi said that Pakistan was keeping a close eye on developments in the region. “Pakistan wants both countries to continue to comply with the memorandum of understanding signed between them,” Andrabi said.

He went on to say that Pakistan believed in the provision of safe passage for oil tankers and trade vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.

The spokesman made it clear that the conflict was in none of the countries’ interest. “The solution to all disputes lies in diplomatic efforts and negotiations,” he said, and reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to peace in the region.

He said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had shown concern over the present situation in the region.

He said that Pakistan was in contact with countries in the region to reduce tensions.

He said that Pakistan had not given up on peace between the US and Iran. “The peace process continues. It never comes to an end.”

He said that Pakistan strongly condemned the incident of harassment of children in the UK. “The fact is that the suspect is a British citizen, who regardless of the fact where he was born, has spent a large part of his life in the UK,” he said, adding that the British government must complete all legal formalities in the case.  

Andrabi said that Pakistan rejected all efforts being made by India to link it to the Pahalgam killings. “Despite making claims, India is still to present proof that Pakistan was behind the incident,” he said, adding that India should look at its role in the occupied Kashmir as well as its backing of terrorism in Pakistan. 

The spokesman said that PM Shehbaz, in his telephonic conversation with the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on July 10, had expressed deep concern over rising tensions in the region. “After recent attacks on Qatar, the prime minister, while expressing solidarity with the government as well as the people of the country, urged parties to the conflict to exercise restraint,” he said, adding that the Emir of Qatar, while praising Pakistan’s role for peace in the region, assured the prime minister of his country’s complete support in this regard.  

“In his telephonic conversation with Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian on July 10, the prime minister stressed the need for the restoration of peace in the region,” Andrabi said. 

To a question about the Japan-India joint statement explicitly referencing cross-border terrorism originating from Pakistan, the spokesperson said that Pakistan had registered a strong demarche and expressed serious concerns to the Japanese government through diplomatic channels.

“Pakistan and Japan share long-standing, cordial, and multi-faceted relations built on a mutual commitment to international peace and development. During bilateral engagements with India, the Indian side routinely exerts pressure to force the inclusion of such malicious, one-sided formulations in joint statements—a tactic they employ with several other countries as well.”

He said that Tokyo has been clearly conveyed that such language was completely inconsistent with the realities on the ground and ignored the unmatched sacrifices and contributions made by Pakistan in the global fight against terrorism.

About the international media reports on safety leak at India’s largest nuclear reactor, the spokesperson said that such reports were not surprising as Pakistan had long questioned India’s nuclear safety and security standards, as well as its overall non-proliferation record, given the recurring incidents of illicit nuclear materials being available in the Indian black market.

To another query, he said that the government was actively pursuing multi-agency, bilateral, and multilateral channels to secure the release of Pakistani nationals held hostage by Somali pirates in Puntland, though significant operational and logistical challenges existed.

He highlighted that on June 30, Pakistan submitted its 7th National Report on the Implementation of UNSC Resolution 1540 to the UN which demonstrated its credentials as a responsible nuclear-weapon state with robust legal, physical protection, and export control mechanisms.

He informed that discussions were underway on an agreement on the Pak-US reciprocal trade. “Only recently, negotiations have been held in this regard,” he said, adding that talks were underway and many obstacles had been removed.

He, however, said he was not aware when the next round of talks would be held.

The spokesman informed that so far Pakistan had sent 45 trucks carrying relief items for the people of Afghanistan. “However, the government of Afghanistan has refused to let them in.”

He made it clear that no ice had been melt in Pakistan’s dispute with Afghanistan. “As long as the country continues its support for terrorist outfits, ice cannot melt.” 

Andrabi said that Pakistan renewed its pledge to support Saudi Arabia’s defence and sovereignty.

He said that killings of policemen in Balochistan in an armed attack is ‘appalling’. 

The spokesman said that Indian media openly celebrated the killings of Pakistani citizens.  

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Reporter Anwer Abbas