Amid renewed Iran-US hostilities, Islamabad MoU remains highly viable template for peace: FO spox

Pakistan on Thursday dismissed the impression of stepping back from its active regional mediation efforts, emphasizing that the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) remained an enduring, highly viable template for promoting peace, mutual respect, and shared prosperity amid renewed hostilities between Iran and the United States

ISLAMABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Jul, 2026) Pakistan on Thursday dismissed the impression of stepping back from its active regional mediation efforts, emphasizing that the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) remained an enduring, highly viable template for promoting peace, mutual respect, and shared prosperity amid renewed hostilities between Iran and the United States.

"Admittedly, the mediation process is currently facing severe challenges because the logic of escalation is prevailing. However, we hope that this logic of escalation will eventually be overcome by the rationality for peace and dialogue. A peace process never dies; it may be placed on the back burner temporarily, but it remains viable," Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said at his weekly press briefing here.

He said that whenever the parties realized that the cycle of escalation had exhausted itself, the return to peace would be guided by the template provided in the Islamabad MoU, alongside the roadmap outlined in the Pakistan-Qatar Joint Statement of June 22, 2026.

Reiterating Pakistan’s deep concern over the renewed escalation of tensions, he told the media that Pakistan remained actively engaged at the highest levels to foster dialogue, de-escalation, and diplomatic resolutions to regional conflicts.

Highlighting the adverse economic and energy security impacts of the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, particularly on the Global South, he called for early normalization and free maritime navigation.

Spokesperson Andrabi apprised the media of Pakistan's high-level diplomatic outreach including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's telephone call with the Amir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, expressing solidarity in the wake of recent attacks on Qatar, and Iranian President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian, calling for restraint to safeguard recent peace gains and discussing follow-ups to President Pezeshkian's recent visit to Pakistan.

Responding to queries regarding the release and potential deportation of Rochdale grooming gang leader Shabbir Ahmed from the UK, the spokesperson strongly condemned child sexual abuse and declared the matter entirely an internal affair of the United Kingdom.

He said that the individual concerned was a British national who lived in the UK and was convicted by a British court. The onus lies on the society where he grew up, was raised, groomed, and unfortunately, spoiled, the spokesperson added.

"Government of Pakistan has no connection whatsoever with this matter. We cannot be associated with any decisions relating to the individual's release or subsequent treatment under British law."

To a question, Andrabi rejected the Indian National Investigation Agency’s (NIA) recently filed charge sheet against senior Hurriyat leaders, over a 1996 case, terming it a politically motivated afterthought aimed at discrediting the Kashmiri struggle for self-determination.

In response to a Financial Times report over the security of Chinese companies in Balochistan, the spokesperson said that Pakistan and China maintained an active, ongoing dialogue, and as the host, the country guaranteed impeccable security to its Chinese guests, technicians, and workers.

The spokesperson confirmed Pakistan's unwavering commitment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Saudi Arabia, declaring that Pakistan stood ready to implement all bilateral agreements, including the Mutual Strategic Defense Agreement signed in September 2025.

Asked about the trade talks with the United States, the spokesperson, who was also part of the delegation, said

a significant progress during reciprocal trade negotiations held in Washington with the US Trade Representative and US Commerce Department, aimed at diversifying and enhancing Pakistani exports.

<?php /*?> <?php */?>

Coming to Afghanistan, Spokesperson Andrabi said that Pakistan had facilitated the transit of approximately 45 to 50 UN aid trucks into Afghanistan through the Torkham border and allowed stranded Pakistani students to return.

However, the spokesperson declared that the ice has not broken and would not break until the Afghan interim authorities provide verifiable, written assurances that Afghan territory would not be used to launch or sponsor terrorist attacks against Pakistan.

However, he denied any Pakistani blockade of Afghanistan’s SCO inclusion, noting that membership logically requires formal diplomatic relations with SCO member states first.

Criticizing Indian media's glorification of attacks in Balochistan, the spokesperson reiterated India's open support and celebration of terrorism in Pakistan while baselessly alleging clandestine US support in Afghanistan.

To a question about the Japan-India joint statement explicitly referencing cross-border terrorism originating from Pakistan, the spokesperson said that Pakistan had registered a strong demarche and expressed serious concerns to the Japanese government through diplomatic channels.

"Pakistan and Japan share long-standing, cordial, and multi-faceted relations built on a mutual commitment to international peace and development. During bilateral engagements with India, the Indian side routinely exerts pressure to force the inclusion of such malicious, one-sided formulations in joint statements—a tactic they employ with several other countries as well."

He said that Tokyo has been clearly conveyed that such language was completely inconsistent with the realities on the ground and ignored the unmatched sacrifices and contributions made by Pakistan in the global fight against terrorism.

About the international media reports on safety leak at India’s largest nuclear reactor, the spokesperson said that such reports were not surprising as Pakistan had long questioned India’s nuclear safety and security standards, as well as its overall non-proliferation record, given the recurring incidents of illicit nuclear materials being available in the Indian black market.

To another query, he said that the government was actively pursuing multi-agency, bilateral, and multilateral channels to secure the release of Pakistani nationals held hostage by Somali pirates in Puntland, though significant operational and logistical challenges existed.

He highlighted that on June 30, Pakistan submitted its 7th National Report on the Implementation of UNSC Resolution 1540 to the UN which demonstrated its credentials as a responsible nuclear-weapon state with robust legal, physical protection, and export control mechanisms.

Referring to other diplomatic engagements, he told the media that Prime Minister Shehbaz, alongside former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and the Deputy PM Dar, visited Doha on July 13 to offer condolences to the former Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.

He said DPM Dar was on a two-day visit to China to sign the instrument for the establishment of the Chinese-initiated World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO) on behalf of Pakistan.