Pakistan in Active Talks With US, Iran to Broker Peace in West Asia

Islamabad: Pakistan said on Thursday it was actively engaging the US and Iran to end the war in West Asia and restore peace and stability in the region and beyond.

“Everything that passes through diplomatic channels in Pakistan is conveyed honestly to the other party,” Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said at the weekly briefing. he said.

He added that the clock of diplomacy has not stopped, but it is functional.

Referring to the efforts to end the hostility between the two countries, Andrabi said, “We are in contact with the relevant parties on the issue. Both new and old proposals regarding the negotiations are on the table. We hope that peace will prevail.” he said.

Andrabi stated that Pakistan is hopeful that this issue will be resolved through negotiations and said, “We encourage direct negotiations between the two parties.”

He expressed hope for “stable relations between Iran and the United States.”

The statement came after the second round of talks between the USA and Iran failed to be held despite Pakistan’s intense efforts to bring the two sides to the negotiating table.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi made two short visits to Pakistan within 48 hours over the weekend and met with Field Marshal Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to discuss the regional situation. Even US negotiators were ready to visit Islamabad for talks but the meeting could not take place.

Pakistan hosted the first round of direct talks between Iran and the United States in Islamabad on April 11, but the two sides failed to reach an agreement on ending the war.

President Donald Trump said Sunday that U.S. and Iranian officials could talk by phone to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

Last week, Trump indefinitely extended a two-week ceasefire with Iran to give Tehran more time to prepare a unified proposal to end the war.

The war began when the United States and Israel jointly attacked Iran on February 28, killing Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several senior commanders. The Islamic Republic’s retaliation spread the war throughout the Gulf region.

As the spokesman implied, Pakistan is still making efforts to end the conflict.

The spokesperson also strongly condemned the “unprovoked” firing and shelling by Afghan forces in border areas adjoining Bannu district of South Waziristan, including Angoor Adda.

He said efforts were ongoing to ensure the safety of local residents and prevent further incidents.