https://arab.news/8b7ku
- Pakistan and US have agreed to expand cooperation on trade, security and investment
- Pakistan continues to mediate between Washington and Tehran since conflict began
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and expressed confidence that Islamabad’s efforts to advance peace in the Middle East with support from friendly countries would yield positive results, the foreign office said.
The development came during a meeting between Dar and Rubio in Washington, as Pakistan continues its diplomatic efforts to help mediate an end to the US-Iran conflict. Negotiations on a possible extension of the ceasefire and a broader peace framework remain ongoing.
Pakistan has emerged as a key intermediary between the US and Iran since the outbreak of the conflict in February. Islamabad hosted rare direct talks between the two sides in April and maintained contact with all stakeholders in support of ongoing negotiations.
“The DPM/FM expressed confidence that Pakistan’s continued sincere efforts for peace and stability in the region and beyond, with the support of friendly countries, will yield positive results,” the foreign office said in a statement on Friday.
“They discussed wide-ranging issues of mutual interest and agreed to upscale and strengthen economic and trade relations, cultural cooperation as well as partnership in counterterrorism and security domains.”
During the meeting, Dar praised US President Donald Trump’s commitment to peace, citing his support for the US-Iran ceasefire and his decision to send a high-level delegation led by Vice President J.D. Vance to Islamabad for peace talks.
According to Pakistan’s foreign ministry, Rubio and Dar expressed satisfaction over the positive momentum in bilateral relations and exchanged views on regional and global developments.
Rubio acknowledged Pakistan’s diplomatic and mediation efforts, praising its close engagement and continued coordination with the US leadership, the statement said.
The two sides agreed to continue working together to strengthen relations, marked by shared interests in regional peace, security, and economic prosperity.
The talks take place after Trump said on Friday that he was making a “final” determination on whether to approve a potential agreement, while Iranian media reported that the text of a proposed memorandum of understanding had not yet been finalized.
CROSS-BORDER MILITANCY
The statement said Dar also conveyed Pakistan’s concerns regarding militant groups using Afghan territory against Pakistan. He stressed the need for enhanced counterterrorism cooperation between the two countries to address security challenges.
Pakistan accuses Afghanistan of facilitating cross-border attacks by extremist groups such as the Pakistani Taliban or the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Kabul denies the allegations.