Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday welcomed the constructive engagement of the United States and Iran following the successful conclusion of the first high-level committee meeting held under the framework of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Bürgenstock, Switzerland.
In a post on X, the prime minister said the discussions were conducted in a positive and constructive atmosphere and resulted in encouraging progress. Key outcomes included an agreement on a roadmap towards a final deal within 60 days, the establishment of a High-Level Committee to provide political oversight, and the initiation of further technical-level talks.
Pakistan, he said, would continue to play an honest and sincere role in promoting dialogue and diplomacy aimed at achieving a peaceful and lasting resolution.
Prime Minister Shehbaz commended the leadership of both the United States and Iran for their continued commitment to constructive engagement. He also thanked friendly and brotherly countries for their support in advancing what he described as a historic diplomatic process.
The prime minister expressed special gratitude to Qatar for its critical role in creating conditions that enabled the negotiations to move forward. He also thanked the Swiss government for facilitating and hosting the talks.
Paying tribute to Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, the prime minister said his untiring efforts, dedication, commitment and perseverance had been instrumental in the success of the talks and the progress achieved so far.
He also acknowledged the contributions of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and his team at the Foreign Office for their diplomatic efforts. In addition, he praised Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi for his significant role in supporting the success of the negotiations.
Earlier, a joint statement was issued by Qatar and Pakistan regarding the conclusion of Lake Lucerne Summit.
It stated that the first session of high level talks under the framework of the Islamabad MoU have concluded in Burgenstock, Switzerland, with the participation of representatives from the Islamic Republic of Iran, the United States of America, and the two mediating parties, the State of Qatar and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
The Lake Lucerne Summit was conducted in a positive and constructive atmosphere. Encouraging progress has been made including the creation of a mechanism for further technical talks.
Building on the MoU, the parties have agreed to the establishment of a High Level Committee, which will provide political oversight on the mediation. Chief negotiators will report regularly to the High Level Committee and lead working groups focused on nuclear, sanctions, and a monitoring and dispute resolution group to ensure the effective implementation of the MoU, and on other matters.
The High Level Committee has agreed upon a roadmap towards reaching a final deal within 60 days, laying the foundation for the immediate commencement of further technical talks. In addition, a communication line between the parties has been formed for the period mentioned in paragraph 5 of the MoU to avoid incidents and miscommunication with the aim of safe passage for commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.
Moreover, the parties agreed on the creation of a de-confliction cell, between the parties, the Lebanese Republic and facilitated by the Mediators, to ensure the adherence of the termination of military operations in Lebanon as per the MoU. Technical talks will continue for the remainder of the week at the Burgenstock resort on all issues. The mediating parties will continue to do their utmost to ensure that the negotiations continue to be conducted in a constructive atmosphere with the aim of reaching a final deal.