Despite complications, Pakistan “optimistic” about US-Iran talks; undeterred by rhetoric: FO spox

ISLAMABAD, Apr 2 (APP): Pakistan on Thursday expressed optimism about ongoing efforts for US-Iran negotiations, despite rhetoric from any side, while highlighting the strong commonalities and widespread appreciation received by the five-point peace plan announced in Beijing and the seven-point summary of the quadrilateral talks held in Islamabad.

“It is an effort towards ending war. It is an effort towards cessation of hostility. And it is an effort towards paving the way for a sustainable pathway towards finding the lasting settlement of these ongoing hostilities,” Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said at his weekly press briefing here.

He said that Pakistan had satisfaction over the confidence shown by the US and Iran in Pakistan to facilitate the talks. Pakistan had condemned the attacks carried out against the Gulf countries by Iran, and prior to that, the attack on Iran as well.

“Our position is anchored on principles, on the principles of the human charter, and with the aim of promoting peace and stability in the region.”

Asked about the visit of the US and Iran delegations to Pakistan for talks, he said it was up to the parties to determine the content, the members of their delegation, as well as the dates of the talks.

To a question about the participation of any Israeli representative in the talks, the spokesperson said that he had no such information; however, Pakistan was talking with the US, European partners, OIC and the GCC countries, some of whom have diplomatic relations with Israel.

“So, our efforts would continue despite these complications that may arise in this very challenging facilitative process. So, whilst the challenges are there, whilst the obstacles could be there, we would continue our pursuit of facilitation and our advocacy for dialogue,” he remarked

The spokesperson rejected the notion of Pakistan pressuring Iran to accept US demands, and said the country was advocating dialogue and diplomacy, which should not be misconstrued as applying any policy.

He told the media that the Iranian government had allowed 20 more ships under the Pakistan flag to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, with two ships crossing the strait daily.

“This positive announcement marks a meaningful step forward towards strengthening our collective efforts in the direction of dialogue, diplomacy, and confidence-building measures—the only way forward.”

Spokesperson Andrabi said that the statement by Iranian foreign ministry’s spokesperson that Iran was not taking part in the talks was misrepresented, and cautioned the media on a deep nexus between the peddlers of fake information in Afghanistan and India.

“They are habitual liars. And in this situation where we have a delicate, sensitive process of facilitation of dialogue taking place, and in this age where hostilities and a practical war-like situation is prevailing in our region, such news peddling can be extremely dangerous.”

He said that the European Council and the countries, including Malaysia and others, expressed their support to the seven-points of the Quad talks and the five-point peace plan issued during Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar’s visit to Beijing.

“So, everybody wants peace. Everybody and any supporter of peace would appreciate this initiative by Pakistan…So, when there are ongoing hostilities, a certain level of rhetoric is also expected from the parties. We are not deterred by that sentiment… We will continue to do so despite the statements or positions expressed by relevant parties.”

Responding to the Indian government spokesperson’s statement about the Shia community in Pakistan, he said, “We emphatically reject India’s remarks as cynical and diversionary.”

He said that India bracketed the Pakistani Shia community in a majority-minority paradigm despite them being part of the mainstream Muslims, calling it extremely dangerous and a design to stoke sectarianism and discord within the Pakistani society.

He said according to a verifiable record, around 100 incidents of lynching of Muslims were carried out a year in India, but the perpetrators escaped judicial oversight, under state patronage.

To a question, Andrabi said that DPM Dar was very positively engaged and optimistic about being a diplomat engaged in this facilitation process.

Regarding the Pakistan-Afghanistan talks in Urumqi, he said Pakistan had sent its delegation to support a credible process seeking a durable solution to sanctuaries and to stop the cross-border terrorism from Afghanistan.

“Our participation is a reiteration of our core concerns. The burden of real process, however, lies with Afghanistan, which must demonstrate visible and verifiable actions against terrorist groups using Afghan soil against Pakistan.”

To a question about the statement coming out from the telephone conversation between the UAE and Afghan foreign ministers, he said that the intent expressed Afghan side has to be backed by concrete, verifiable assurances in written format that their territories would not be used for cross-border terrorism.

He said that such an intent in a documented form was inked by the Taliban in Doha in 2021 but was not honored.

He also told the media that Operation Ghazab-Lil Haq was going on as Pakistan security forces took some action a few days ago as well and that there was no change in that operation with respect to any talks taking place.

Highlighting other diplomatic activities during the past week, the spokesperson mentioned Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s telephone conversations with the Crown Prince of Kuwait, President of Iran Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian, and President of the European Council António Costa. Similarly, DPM Dar also held telephone calls with the Foreign Ministers of China, Egypt, Qatar, Indonesia , and Iran and UN Secretary-General António Guterres.

During the conversations, the leaders discussed the regional issues as well as bilateral and global matters of mutual concern.