ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani expressed satisfaction over the progress achieved in the US-Iran technical-level talks in Switzerland, the premier’s office said on Wednesday, agreeing on the need to safeguard the negotiations from “detractors.”
Pakistan and Qatar were present as mediators in Bürgenstock, Switzerland when the US and Iran held talks on implementing the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding on Sunday.
In an interview to Al Arabiya, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar this week said Israel’s attacks on Lebanon nearly “derailed” the US-Iran peace talks. During Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s visit to Islamabad on Tuesday, Sharif warned of spoilers trying to “scuttle” the US-Iran peace deal. He did not name any country.
“Both leaders expressed satisfaction with the first round of technical level talks held in Bürgenstock and stated that positive momentum must continue so that negotiations could be successful,” Sharif’s office said about his telephone conversation with Al Thani.
“In this regard, the two leaders agreed that it would be important to safeguard the talks from detractors.”
The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said Al Thani appreciated Sharif’s leadership and expressed Qatar’s full support for Pakistan’s peace efforts.
The Qatari emir expressed his willingness to visit Pakistan later this year to discuss bilateral cooperation and regional developments, the PMO added.
Both leaders agreed to continue close coordination between the two countries in the coming days, the statement concluded.
The Islamabad memorandum, signed earlier this month, ended months of conflict between the US and Iran that began in February.
The US-Iran talks in Switzerland concluded with Pakistan and Qatar announcing that all parties had agreed on a roadmap to reach a permanent peace deal within 60 days.
The discussions resulted in the formation of a high-level committee to provide political oversight on mediation that will focus on Iran’s nuclear program, sanctions and implementation of the MoU.
The talks also led to the formation of a communication line between the parties to avoid miscommunication and to secure safe passage for vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. A “de-confliction cell” to end military operations in Lebanon was also created to stop fighting in the country.
