ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Qatar’s technical teams will keep contact with the US and Iran teams set up for negotiations, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi said Tuesday.
Speaking at the weekly press briefing, Andrabi told reporters that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian visited Pakistan yesterday on PM Shehbaz Sharif’s invitation. During the visit, Pezeshkian met both the PM and the President. In his meeting with Shehbaz Sharif, both leaders agreed they want to push relations forward.
He said the second round of Iran-US talks happened June 21 in Bürgenstock, Switzerland. PM Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir represented Pakistan there.
For the next phase, three technical working groups have been formed, Andrabi explained. One group is handling nuclear program issues. Another is looking at sanctions and frozen assets. The third is working on Lebanon’s situation. Pakistan and Qatar’s teams will stay in touch with the US and Iran teams on all this.
Andrabi added that several countries praised Pakistan’s role in pushing for regional peace. He said Pakistan welcomes the international community’s appreciation for its constructive work. He also credited Pakistani media for playing a responsible part in mediation and peace efforts.
He also mentioned a meeting on June 21 between foreign ministers of Pakistan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Turkiye. They discussed the Islamabad MoU and the Bürgenstock talks. The Deputy PM spoke with foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Italy, Canada, Bahrain, and Iran, among others.
On a question about Pakistanis held hostage off Somalia’s coast, Andrabi said the government is in touch with Somali authorities to get them back.
