ISLAMABAD: Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson Tahir Andrabi on Thursday said that the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and the Lake Lucerne Summit had reinforced “our faith in dialogue and diplomacy as the most effective means for peaceful settlement of disputes and conflicts”.
Speaking during the weekly media briefing in Islamabad, Andrabi recalled Pakistan’s efforts to promote peace between the United States and Iran in recent months. Pakistan has played a leading role in mediation efforts since the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran in late February, triggering a conflict that contributed to a global fuel crisis after Tehran took steps to disrupt shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for international oil and gas supplies.
Among the latest milestones in Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts were the signing of the Islamabad MoU on June 18 — a 14-point agreement aimed at ending the conflict — and direct talks between the United States and Iran at the Lake Lucerne Summit in Switzerland over the weekend.
Andrabi said Pakistan’s role had received recognition from across the world. He welcomed the “positive recognition and encouraging remarks from various countries, partners and members of the international community regarding our constructive role in promoting regional peace, dialogue and de-escalation efforts”.
“Such recognition reflects the international community’s trust in Pakistan, as well as Pakistan’s commitment to advancing dialogue, peace, security and stability across the region and beyond,” he said.
The FO spokesperson expressed Pakistan’s “sincere appreciation” to all countries and partners that had supported its efforts to promote peace.
He also praised the role of Pakistan’s media throughout the diplomatic process, saying it had acted responsibly and professionally.
“Pakistan’s media demonstrated professionalism and maturity by respecting the strict requirements of confidentiality, discretion and trust that are indispensable to any credible facilitator,” he said.
Discussing the outcomes of the Switzerland talks, Andrabi said the United States and Iran had reached an understanding on several aspects related to the implementation of the Islamabad MoU.
According to him, both sides agreed to establish a high-level committee for political oversight and mediation. They also endorsed a roadmap aimed at reaching a final peace agreement within 60 days.
The two countries further agreed to establish communication channels to prevent misunderstandings and ensure the safe passage of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. In addition, a de-confliction cell involving the United States, Iran and the Lebanese government would be created.
Andrabi said technical teams from mediators Pakistan and Qatar would continue to engage with their counterparts from the United States and Iran in the coming weeks to facilitate the effective implementation of the Islamabad MoU.
Separately, the FO spokesperson provided an update on efforts to secure the release of 11 Pakistani seafarers who have been held hostage by Somali pirates since April.
The sailors were taken hostage after armed pirates hijacked the MT Honour 25 off Somalia’s southeastern coast on April 21. Eleven Pakistani crew members remain in captivity, while their families have repeatedly appealed for assistance in securing their return.
Addressing the issue, Andrabi said the government had launched a “sustained diplomatic and overall political campaign” to secure the hostages’ release.
“We have taken significant efforts in this regard,” he said, adding that the government’s immediate focus remained on diplomatic and humanitarian initiatives aimed at ensuring the safe return of the seafarers.
He said the Foreign Office had maintained engagement with Somali authorities at multiple levels, while technical teams from Pakistan’s embassy in Djibouti had travelled to Somalia to hold discussions with relevant stakeholders.
According to Andrabi, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar had also spoken with Somalia’s foreign minister, while senior officials from the Somali Foreign Ministry had separately been engaged on the issue.
“This is a difficult issue,” he said, noting that an interministerial meeting had been convened to coordinate the government’s response.
The meeting decided that negotiations and humanitarian channels would remain the primary means of securing the release of the hostages, while authorities would continue to maintain close contact with their families.
Andrabi said Pakistan was also seeking assistance from friendly countries, relevant interlocutors, local non-governmental organisations and human rights activist Ansar Burney.
“These efforts continue, and we will continue to update you on this matter. This is an issue which is very close to our hearts because of the involvement of families, and we can understand their pain. But, as I said, the release is a difficult situation which is being addressed,” he said.