Pakistan and Qatar will remain engaged with the technical working groups established under the ongoing United States-Iran dialogue, the Foreign Office said on Wednesday. Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi said both countries would continue coordinating with the relevant teams to support the negotiation process. The development underscores Pakistan’s role in facilitating regional diplomacy and peace efforts.
Speaking at the weekly media briefing, Andrabi said Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian visited Pakistan on the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. During the visit, the Iranian president held separate meetings with Prime Minister Shehbaz and President Asif Ali Zardari. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and expanding cooperation in various sectors.
The spokesperson said the second round of Iran-US negotiations took place on June 21 in Bürgenstock, Switzerland. He explained that three specialised technical working groups had been established for the next phase of discussions. These groups are focusing on Iran’s nuclear programme, sanctions and frozen assets, and developments related to Lebanon.
According to Andrabi, Pakistani and Qatari technical teams will stay in contact with their American and Iranian counterparts to assist the implementation process. He added that several countries had appreciated Pakistan’s contribution to promoting peace and reducing tensions in the region. The spokesperson also praised Pakistani media for its responsible coverage of sensitive diplomatic efforts.
Andrabi further noted that the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Türkiye met on June 21 to discuss the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding and progress in the Switzerland talks. He also said Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar had held consultations with foreign ministers from several countries. Separately, the Foreign Office confirmed that Pakistan remains in contact with Somali authorities to secure the release of Pakistani citizens being held hostage off the Somali coast.