Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, accompanied by Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, arrived in Bürgenstock, Switzerland, to participate in high-level talks focused on implementing the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding signed between the United States and Iran. The meeting represents a significant diplomatic step aimed at translating recent commitments into practical measures, while also reinforcing efforts to maintain stability and reduce tensions across the region.
Technical-level discussions involving officials from the United States, Iran, Pakistan, and Qatar are scheduled to begin today. These negotiations mark the first formal engagement since Washington and Tehran signed the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding on June 17, 2026. Participants are expected to review progress on agreed commitments and explore mechanisms to ensure the effective implementation of the understandings reached during earlier diplomatic efforts.
In addition, Pakistan has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting dialogue between the two sides and facilitating constructive engagement whenever required. The presence of senior representatives from Iran, Qatar, and the United States highlights the importance attached to the talks. Pakistan’s role throughout the process has reflected its balanced diplomatic approach, which helped create the environment necessary for meaningful negotiations and confidence-building measures.
On the sidelines of the talks, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is expected to hold separate meetings with delegations from Iran, Qatar, Switzerland, and the United States. These interactions are aimed at strengthening diplomatic cooperation and reaffirming Pakistan’s support for peaceful conflict resolution. Officials hope that sustained dialogue will contribute to long-term regional stability and encourage broader cooperation among participating countries.
Meanwhile, senior American representatives, including White House envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, have reached Switzerland ahead of the negotiations. US Vice President JD Vance is also participating in the discussions, underlining Washington’s interest in advancing diplomatic engagement with Tehran. The presence of high-ranking officials from both sides signals a serious effort to move negotiations forward through direct dialogue.
The Iranian delegation, led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, has also arrived in Switzerland. The team includes Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, senior security official Ali Bagheri Kani, Central Bank Governor Abdolnaser Hemmati, diplomat Kazem Gharibabadi, and Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei. With key political, security, and economic figures present, the talks are expected to address a broad range of issues linked to the implementation of the Islamabad agreement.