ISLAMABAD: Pakistan said on Thursday that the logic behind and relevance of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) remain intact, urging Iran and the United States to exercise maximum restraint and resume technical-level talks to end hostilities.
Speaking at a weekly media briefing on Thursday, Foreign Office (FO) Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said the Islamabad MoU, signed in Burgenstock, Switzerland, and the subsequent joint statement by Pakistan and Qatar on June 22, continues to provide a practical framework for peaceful engagement, stating that no alternative template is considered necessary.
He added, “Pakistan firmly believes that there is no alternative to sustained engagement, dialogue, and diplomacy in pursuit of the shared objective of lasting peace and stability in the region. Ultimately, all conflicts and disputes are resolved through dialogue and at the negotiating table.”
The Islamabad MoU remains an enduring framework for promoting peace, mutual respect, and shared prosperity. While the implementation of the MoU is facing challenges, Pakistan will continue to encourage all sides to end the violence and resume technical-level talks in accordance with the MoU and the Pakistan-Qatar Joint Statement of 22 June 2026. We hope that all parties will remain committed to the path of dialogue and diplomacy in resolving outstanding issues,” the FO Spokesperson said.
On July 8, following the renewed hostilities involving Iran and the United States, the Foreign Office said Pakistan expressed its deep concern over the escalation of tensions in the region. A renewed conflict serves no one’s interest.
He further said, “As hostilities have continued over the past week, Pakistan reiterates its call on all parties to exercise maximum restraint and refrain from any actions that could further undermine regional peace and stability.”
Responding to questions, the FO spokesperson said Pakistan and the United States continue to advance bilateral trade discussions aimed at expanding economic cooperation and diversifying Pakistani exports to the US market. Two official delegations from Pakistan have visited Washington in July, reflecting steady progress and a shared commitment to strengthening commercial ties.”
Andrabi remarked that Pakistan has never opposed the delivery of humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan. “Approximately 50 aid trucks have recently crossed into Afghanistan through Pakistani territory, reaffirming Pakistan’s continued support for humanitarian relief efforts for the Afghan people,” he said.
He stated that Pakistan wants constructive relations with Afghanistan; however, meaningful improvement in bilateral ties depends on Kabul taking credible and verifiable measures to prevent terrorist groups from using Afghan territory to launch attacks against Pakistan. Lasting progress requires firm action against all terrorist sanctuaries.
Pakistan maintains that Indian agencies are openly supporting terrorist activities in Balochistan and have publicly celebrated incidents of violence targeting Pakistan. At the same time, Pakistan is not aware of any evidence indicating clandestine US support for such terrorist activities.
In response to a query, he categorically dismissed and condemned the latest indictment issued by the National Investigation Agency of India against senior Hurriyat leaders in connection with an event that had occurred nearly three decades ago. According to him, this step was yet another example of India’s ongoing policy of employing farcical judicial proceedings against the Kashmiri political leadership to delegitimize the legitimate struggle of Kashmiris for their inalienable right to self-determination as per United Nations Security Council resolutions.
Andrabi reiterated that no political prosecution and efforts made for delegitimizing Kashmiri leadership can change the disputed nature of Jammu and Kashmir, nor can it nullify the Kashmiri people’s inalienable right to self-determination.
The spokesperson also firmly rejected India’s baseless and politically motivated allegations about Pakistan’s involvement in the Pahalgam attack, urging that such allegations were consistent with the well-established pattern of attempts at maligning Pakistan and diverting attention from the truth. He added that Pakistan time and again demanded an independent and transparent inquiry into the incident.
The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) is a designated terrorist organisation by several countries, and Pakistan continues to call for international cooperation to counter terrorism in all its forms, he added.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026