Negotiations between parties continue to normalize situation, says FO
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi speaking at FO’s weekly press briefing. SCREEN CAPTURE
Pakistan was making efforts to bring concerned parties back to the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) as part of ongoing efforts to reduce regional tensions, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (FO) said on Thursday.
Addressing a weekly press conference, FO spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said, “We are trying our best to bring the parties back to the Islamabad MoU so that all irritants can be removed in light of the Islamabad MoU and the Pakistan-Qatar Joint Declaration of June 22.”
He said negotiations between the parties were continuing to normalize the situation, particularly in the Strait of Hormuz, and to support the reduction of tensions.
“Negotiations between the parties are ongoing to normalize the situation, in particular the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, and also to reduce tension,” he said.
Reiterating Pakistan’s position, Andrabi said: “We note with concern that the security situation remains precarious, despite the relative calm of recent days, which had revived hopes that this positive development, this calm, would be consolidated into a lasting and fully respected ceasefire and pave the way for dialogue.”
He added: “Amid the prevailing tensions and hostilities, Pakistan reiterates that dialogue and diplomacy remain the only viable path forward. We welcome all efforts aimed at sustaining the cessation of hostilities and resumption of dialogue between Iran and the United States. Pakistan is committed and will continue to play its role in this regard.”
The spokesperson called for restraint and said, “We encourage the parties to exercise utmost restraint and fully fulfill their commitment to resume talks at the technical level for the implementation of the Islamabad MoU in accordance with the Pakistan-Qatar Joint Declaration of June 21, 2026.”
Referring to Pakistan’s diplomatic engagements, Andrabi said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif recently spoke with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, during which both leaders agreed to continue working closely to maintain regional peace, stability and the uninterrupted flow of legal maritime trade through the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz.
He said Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar later held a telephone conversation with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud during which they discussed the latest regional developments, reaffirmed the close and brotherly ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia and underlined the importance of continued diplomacy and constructive engagement for regional peace and stability.
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Andrabi said Dar also held a telephone conversation with Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, during which the two leaders discussed the worsening situation in Palestine, condemned Israeli actions and reaffirmed their commitment to regional peace and security.
On bilateral relations with Kuwait, the spokesperson said: “Pakistan and Kuwait reaffirmed their strong and long-standing bilateral partnership and agreed to deepen cooperation, particularly in trade, investment, energy, information technology, agriculture, education, health and other priority sectors through sustained high-level engagements and the establishment of joint working groups.”
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He added: “The MPD welcomed Kuwait’s ratification of the Pakistan-Kuwait Defense Cooperation Agreement, describing it as a significant step towards strengthening defense institutional ties and collaboration between the two countries.”
The spokesperson said Dar also participated in the meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in the Kyrgyz Republic, where he reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to the SCO Charter, regional connectivity, China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and China’s Belt and Road Initiative, while conveying Pakistan’s readiness to assume the SCO presidency for 2026-27.
On Pakistan-US relations, Andrabi said Dar met with a US congressional delegation and a 33-member US business delegation on July 28, during which he highlighted the positive momentum in bilateral relations and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening relations through greater parliamentary engagement, economic cooperation and people-to-people exchanges.
Turning to Palestine, Andrabi said: “On July 24, 2026, the foreign ministers of eight Arab-Islamic countries, including Pakistan, issued a joint statement strongly condemning Israel’s actions and restrictions in Jerusalem, particularly with regard to the Al-Aqsa Mosque. “They called on the international community to uphold international law, protect the rights of Palestinians and preserve the religious and historical status of the holy city.”
He said Dar also held a telephone conversation with Egyptian Foreign Minister Dr. Badr Abdelatty, during which both sides expressed serious concern about the situation in Palestine, called for an immediate end to hostilities, unhindered humanitarian assistance and respect for international law, and discussed coordinated diplomatic efforts in support of the Palestinian people.
The spokesperson said Pakistan and Egypt also held virtually last week the 10th round of their annual bilateral consultations, during which the two sides reviewed cooperation in trade, investment, education, culture, science and people-to-people contacts, while reaffirming their commitment to greater regional coordination and cooperation on multilateral issues.
Read more: Dar urges Iran, US to take advantage of Islamabad MoU
Highlighting another initiative, Andrabi said: “On July 24, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with COMSTECH, launched the first issue of the Journal of Science, Communication and Diplomacy for 2026, marking the second year of its publication.”
He said the magazine provides a platform for diplomats, scientists, academics and policy professionals to engage in discourse on the intersection of science, technology and international relations, adding that the inaugural 2026 edition features 11 articles, including seven written by Ministry of External Affairs officials and one by Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch.
