Key Points
- President Pezeshkian endorses Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding
- Pakistan steps up diplomacy to reduce regional tensions
- Shehbaz vows strong response to attacks from Afghan soil
UNITED NATIONS: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has warned that Pakistan would give a befitting response to any terrorist attack from Afghanistan, condemning continuing terrorist attacks from Afghan soil.
He was answering a question regarding cross-border terrorism during his media talks in New York after meeting Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly,
Responding to the question on the security situation, Shehbaz condemned continuing terrorist attacks in Pakistan and said terrorists operating from Afghan territory were responsible for the rising violence.
He said Pakistan would not relent until the “curse of terrorism” was eliminated and made clear that attacks against Pakistani security personnel would receive a strong response.
The prime minister reiterated that Pakistan remained committed to regional peace while protecting its national security and sovereignty.
Earlier, he said he had a successful meeting with the Iranian President, saying Tehran once again endorsed the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), backing Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to reduce regional tensions and advance peace through dialogue.
Shehbaz described the talks as successful and said the Iranian leadership viewed the Islamabad MoU as an acceptable framework for pursuing de-escalation.
He said Pezeshkian had reaffirmed Iran’s willingness to support efforts to reduce regional tensions and promote peace through dialogue and diplomacy.
Shehbaz said Pakistan’s political and military leadership was working in close coordination with regional partners to accelerate implementation of the Islamabad MoU and advance efforts for a peaceful resolution of outstanding regional issues.
He said Islamabad was also engaging friendly countries to help contain tensions and prevent further provocations around the Bab al-Mandeb and Strait of Hormuz, both strategically important waterways for regional stability and international trade.
The prime minister said Pezeshkian had also stressed the importance of de-escalation and collective efforts by regional countries to restore peace and stability.
Describing Iran as a friendly, neighbouring and brotherly country, Shehbaz said Pakistan would continue using diplomatic channels to promote peace and prevent further escalation in the region.
He also highlighted coordination between Pakistan’s political and military leadership, saying their joint approach had contributed to recent diplomatic progress and would continue to support efforts to strengthen the country’s economic stability.
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Islamabad MoU framework for US-Iran talks
Pakistan is the key mediator between the US and Iran after helping secure a ceasefire on April 8. Later, Pakistan hosted high-level US and Iranian delegations for the Islamabad talks on April 12 and 13.
Pakistan has repeatedly urged a return to the Islamabad MoU between the US and Iran, maintaining that dialogue and diplomacy were the only way to resolve the months-long conflict.
Under the Islamabad MoU, Iran and the United States committed to halt military operations, reopen the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping and negotiate a comprehensive agreement covering Iran’s nuclear programme, US sanctions and a permanent ceasefire within 60 days.
Pakistan and Qatar later co-mediated the first round of high-level talks in Lucerne, Switzerland, on June 21, which US Vice President Vance and Iran’s chief negotiator Ghalibaf both attended.
Pakistan is making efforts to revive talks under the Islamabad MoU framework to permanently end the conflict through diplomacy and dialogue.
