Pakistan believes in diplomacy grounded in negotiations, whether under a new or an existing framework, the Foreign Office said on Thursday, as contacts continue between the United States and Iran.
Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi, in a weekly briefing, said talks between Tehran and Washington were under way and that Pakistan places confidence in negotiation-based diplomacy to address complex issues.
Owing to the confidence of the parties involved, he said, details of the talks and proposals are not discussed, adding that Pakistan does not place specific points of ongoing negotiations before the media.
He confirmed that diplomatic contacts with both the United States and Iran remain steady, and that, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, engagement with all sides continues.
The spokesperson said the Iranian's president had appreciated Pakistan’s efforts for peace. The Prime Minister welcomed Iran’s decision to send a delegation to Islamabad. Türkiye has assured continued support for peace in the region, while the Prime Minister expressed gratitude to the Saudi Crown Prince for sustained support to Pakistan. Saudi Arabia has played a significant role in Pakistan’s economic stability, he said, adding that the two countries share fraternal and strong ties and are strategic defence partners.
The MoFA said that Afghanistan’s claim regarding a demarche was propaganda. Pakistan’s chargé d’affaires in Kabul had been called for a meeting, he said. He rejected allegations of any attack on institutions, including Jamaluddin Afghani University, and stated that Pakistan’s demand that Afghan soil not be used against neighbours is in line with international law and forms part of the Doha agreement. The same point held priority in the Urumqi talks.
The spokesperson said around 84 Pakistanis are stranded in Cambodia, including 76 men and eight women, and arrangements are in hand for their early return. Cambodian authorities have granted consular access to Bilal Mohsin, he added.
