Pakistan, US, Qatar leaders expect talks to promote global peace

Declaring a desire to “turn over a new leaf” in the Middle East, the leaders of Pakistan, the United States, and Qatar on Sunday expressed strong hope that the Bürgenstock talks would play a role to promote global peace, international security, and economic prosperity around the globe.

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, US Vice President JD Vance, and Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, who gathered here for the Lake Lucerne Summit for technical negotiation between the United States and Iran, strongly emphasised that these joint collaborative diplomatic efforts marked the beginning of a vital process to build a sustainable future and achieve an agreement for global stability.

Being hosted and mediated by Pakistan and Qatar, the talks are meant to iron out the details of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between US and Iran to cease hostilities and negotiate a framework for a durable solution to regional peace and stability.

In his remarks, PM Shehbaz expressed the hope that the discussions between the United States and Iran would lead to positive results and produce a document that would further the cause of peace, progress and prosperity around the globe.

US Vice President JD Vance, Qatar’s PM Al Thani, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and other members of different delegations including Minister for Interior Mohsin Naqvi and Minister for Information Attaullah Tarar were also present on the occasion.

PM Shehbaz said the talks were crucial for peace and prosperity in region, adding the crisis created huge challenges for the world.

He thanked the US President Trump for his visionary and dynamic leadership which resulted in the meeting in Switzerland. He lauded Vance for his leadership during the talks.

He also appreciated the prime minister of Qatar and CDF Munir for their outstanding role and consistent efforts.

“The leadership from the participating countries could create lasting peace in the world through these talks.

“I think together all these efforts have culminated here in this wonderful, humanistic Bürgenstock. It’s really very wonderful to be here. Hopefully, when we go back to our homes, we’ll have some wonderful paper in our hands which will promote peace, progress, and prosperity around the globe,” he remarked.

US VP Vance appreciated Shehbaz and Munir for their leadership role and sustained efforts for peace.

“We would not be here without the field marshal who is a great military leader, statesman and diplomat,” he added.

“I have a few other notes of appreciation. First of all, to the prime minister of Pakistan — a dear friend of the president, a dear friend of mine, and a guy whose leadership and very careful, skilled negotiations have gotten us to this point. Also to his field marshal in Pakistan, Asim Munir…I’ve probably talked to Field Marshal Munir more than I’ve talked to anybody else over the last three months. We would not be here without his statesmanship,” Vance stated.

He also appreciated the Qatari leader calling him an amazing friend of the United States of America, who had also been an important part of getting us to this point.

“What we’re trying to accomplish here is something very simple: through diplomacy and through working together, to transform the Middle East… Now, we see a future where everybody can work together to promote peace and prosperity for everyone.”

Calling the meeting “historic” he said that never before has the Iranian and American leadership met at such a high level.

“What the president has asked us to do is turn over a new leaf, to transform our relationship with the people of Iran, and to extend an outstretched hand…That is certainly our goal. We’ve already made great progress over just the last few hours, and I expect that we’ll make additional progress in the hours to come.”

Responding to a query about the conflict in Lebanon, JD Vance said that President Trump had committed to seeing a full regional ceasefire as the parties were working towards regional peace.

“There’s still some additional wood to chop, but we’re going to keep on working at it…President of the United States and the United States of America have done more to stop the conflict in Lebanon than any government anywhere in the world over the last few months.”

In his remarks, Qatari PM also lauded the leadership of US Vice President, Prime Minister Shehbaz and Field Marshal who initiated the process.

“I think that every one of you has highlighted how important this meeting is, how historic this event is, and how significant this agreement is—not only for the security of the region, but also for the security of the world and for the global economy,” he added.

PM Shehbaz, CDF Munir meet US, Iranian delegations

Earlier, PM Shehbaz and Chief of Defence Forces Munir held a meeting with the US negotiating team, led by Vice President JD Vance, the PM Office stated.

According to Reuters, warm greetings were exchanged, and Vance said “What’s up man?” as he shook hands with Munir and hugged him. “My brother,” Munir said as he reached out to Witkoff and embraced him.

PM Shehbaz and CDF Munir also held a meeting with an Iranian delegation in Bürgenstock today.

The Iranian delegation was led by Speaker of the Parliament Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

Meanwhile, when a reporter asked about his opinion on Islamabad’s mediation role in US-Iran talks, JD Vance said: “Very good. We love Pakistan. Thank you.”

The development came hours after delegations from the US, Iran, Qatar, and Pakistan arrived at the venue earlier for talks related to the details of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) digitally signed between Tehran and Washington to cease hostilities and negotiate a framework to end the war on Thursday.

Upon his arrival at Burgentstock resort, the prime minister briefly interacted with the media in German language.

The prime minister had landed in Zurich, Switzerland, earlier in the day.

“Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has arrived in Zurich along with his delegation. Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and COAS & CDF Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir will participate in the High-Level Talks on the implementation of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding,” the PMO statement read.