ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar confirmed Thursday that indirect negotiations between the United States and Iran were being held to end their war, using Islamabad as an intermediary.
Dar, who is also deputy prime minister, described speculation about "peace talks" as "unnecessary", adding: "In reality, US-Iran indirect talks are taking place through messages being relayed by Pakistan.
"In this context, the United States has shared 15 points, being deliberated upon by Iran. Brotherly countries of Turkiye and Egypt, among others, are also extending their support to this initiative," he wrote on X, using Turkey's official name.
Dar's comments are the first on-the-record confirmation from Islamabad that Pakistan is playing a facilitating role.
Meanwhile, the Foreign Office said on Thursday that Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is spearheading the efforts for negotiations between relevant parties to de-escalate the situation in the Persian Gulf and move toward a peaceful settlement.
During a weekly press briefing, Tahir Andrabi stated that Pakistan has actively engaged with the regional actors to de-escalate the situation, cease hostilities, and move toward a peaceful settlement.
PM Sharif called Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Wednesday, condemning recent attacks on the Kingdom and pressing for an immediate end to hostilities.
He conveyed Pakistan's "firm support and steadfast solidarity to the Kingdom in these challenging times," Andrabi said.
PM Sharif also pressed for "de-escalation and end to hostilities and unity within the Ummah," the spokesperson stated.
A day earlier, the prime minister spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. Both sides agreed on "the urgent need for de-escalation, dialogue, and diplomacy," Andrabi said.
Between March 18-20, PM Sharif also called the leaders of Kuwait, Turkey, Jordan, Azerbaijan, Malaysia, Uzbekistan, Egypt, Bangladesh, and Bahrain.
The spokesperson stated that Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar flew to Riyadh on March 18. He met foreign ministers from Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Qatar, Syria, Turkey, and the UAE.
The foreign minister separately held calls with counterparts from Norway, Saudi Arabia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Egypt, Iraq, Iran, and the UAE. He also held talks with the EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, between March 13 and 25.
Srinagar’s historic mosque closure
Pakistan also condemned the closure of Srinagar's historic Jama Masjid during Ramadan and Eid in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. "Preventing worshippers from offering congregational prayers constitutes a serious violation of religious freedoms and fundamental human rights," Andrabi said.
The spokesperson stated the mosque has remained closed for the seventh consecutive year since India's August 5, 2019 actions in IIOJK. He called on the United Nations and international human rights bodies to press New Delhi on the matter.
International Day to Combat Islamophobia
On the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, observed March 15, Pakistan’s FM issued a statement pointing to "attacks on mosques, women, and holy texts" and calling for "international cooperation, dialogue, and respect," Andrabi stated.
“Pakistan had played a key role in securing the United Nations' designation of March 15 for the observance,” the spokesperson stated.
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