No official confirmation regarding the time and venue of the second phase has been revealed: Foreign Office Spokesperson

ISLAMABAD: (Rizwan Abbasi) Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi, while presenting a detailed position on Pakistan’s regional and global affairs in his weekly media briefing, said that Pakistan’s constructive and positive diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions between the US and Iran have been recognized.

He said that Pakistan, under the leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif and Field Marshal, played a mediating role and kept the channels of communication open between the parties, as a result of which important and constructive peace talks were held in Islamabad.

According to the spokesperson, the US was represented in the Islamabad talks by JD Vance, while the Iranian side was represented by Baqir Qalibaf. The Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and Chief of Defense Forces played a key role in holding the talks.

He said that the Chief of Defense Forces is currently on a visit to Iran where talks on regional security and cooperation are underway.

The spokesperson said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had telephone conversations with the Emir of Qatar, the German Chancellor, the Italian Prime Minister, the British Prime Minister, the Japanese Prime Minister and the Canadian Prime Minister, in which detailed consultations were held on the regional situation. Even before the Islamabad talks, the Pakistani leadership was in constant contact with several world leaders.

He clarified that Pakistan is playing an active and effective role in promoting peace, stability and dialogue in the region.
The spokesperson said that Pakistan strongly condemns the Israeli aggression and attacks on Lebanon. The recent incidents related to the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the aggression in the region are violations of international laws, which Pakistan has condemned in the strongest terms.

He said that Pakistan is fulfilling the duties of the chairmanship of the Regional Counter-Terrorism Structure (RATS) of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

An important meeting of the RATS Council was held in which peace and stability in the region and security issues related to Afghanistan were discussed. Pakistan will host the next meeting in September.

Senior officials from Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt attended the high-level meeting of the four countries in Islamabad, which discussed the situation in the Middle East.

The spokesperson took note of the news of the promotion of controversial Indian Army officer Colonel Purohit, saying that he was involved in the Samjhauta Express terror case, and this move raises serious questions about state-sponsored terrorism in India.
He said that Pakistan reiterates its demand to bring all elements involved in this case to justice.
According to the spokesperson, Muslims in India face systematic discrimination, socio-economic marginalization and mob violence. The increase in crimes against minorities in the name of cow protection is alarming.
He called on the international community to take immediate notice of the grave human rights situation in India and the increasing violence by extremist groups.
Regarding occupied Jammu and Kashmir, the spokesperson said that Pakistan completely rejects India’s illegal delimitation process, which is an attempt to change the population ratio. Including Azad Jammu and Kashmir in this act is an illegal and baseless move.

He said that self-determination is the inalienable right of the Kashmiri people and the international community should play a role in protecting it.

The spokesperson said that the UAE is a brotherly, close and long-standing friend of Pakistan. The relations between the two countries are very strong on historical, cultural and religious grounds.

He clarified that speculations of any difference or distance between Pakistan and the UAE are baseless, and mutual trust and cooperation remain strong.

The spokesperson said that financial transactions with the UAE predate the recent dispute.
The spokesperson said that the defense cooperation agreement between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia is active. Pakistan is in constant contact and consultation with Iran and Saudi Arabia.

He said that the attack on the Pakistani Coast Guard is strongly condemned and details of the incident are being obtained.
According to the spokesperson, Pakistan is continuing its diplomatic efforts for comprehensive and sustainable peace in the region, and engagements with various countries are part of this strategy. The spokesperson said that the Islamabad talks were held in a very constructive and positive atmosphere. Pakistan views these talks as an important development.

He said that the 21-hour period consisted only of direct dialogue and negotiations between the parties, during which the Prime Minister and the Chief of Defense Forces were continuously present. According to the spokesperson, the US Vice President also mentioned this period in his statement, while Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar also confirmed that Chief of Defense Forces General Asim Munir was involved in the negotiation process. The talks on Afghanistan held in Arochi have concluded.

The Foreign Office spokesperson said that information related to the Iran-US talks was confidential to Pakistan, which is why details could not be provided to the media.