ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - Pakistan has confirmed that the United States and Iran are engaged in discussions on seven points, with Washington having also shared its position on Tehran’s proposals, the Foreign Office said on Saturday.
Foreign Office spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan made the remarks during his weekly media briefing in Islamabad, saying direct contacts between the two countries were a result of Pakistan’s mediation efforts.
He said a memorandum of understanding was already in place between Islamabad and the parties, adding that some of the points under discussion were consistent with it.
Pakistan and other key countries were playing a role in efforts to resolve the US-Iran conflict, the spokesperson said.
He added that Pakistan wanted direct engagement between Washington and Tehran, a reduction in tensions and a negotiated settlement to the dispute. Islamabad remained ready to resume its mediation efforts if required, he said.
Pakistan condemns Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia
The spokesperson said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had strongly condemned Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia.
He stressed that the sanctity of the two holy mosques must be protected under all circumstances, adding that Pakistan supported Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, security and protection.
Pakistan raises concerns over terrorism from Afghanistan
Khan said terrorism emanating from Afghanistan posed a serious threat to neighbouring countries, particularly Pakistan.
He said Pakistan had conveyed its concerns over terrorism originating from Afghanistan during the Moscow Format meeting.
According to the spokesperson, the Afghan Taliban delegation had declined to maintain the position on terrorism reflected in the previous Moscow Format declaration.
For Pakistan, he said, terrorism emanating from Afghanistan was not merely a matter of statements but a national security concern.
He added that it was too early to say whether Pakistan would participate in the next Moscow Format meeting.
Pakistan rejects India’s mapping of disputed Kashmir
The spokesperson also rejected India’s attempts to incorporate disputed areas of Jammu and Kashmir into its maps, describing India’s unilateral mapping as legally invalid and contrary to relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.
He said unilateral Indian actions could not alter the disputed status of Jammu and Kashmir or undermine the Kashmiri people’s inalienable right to self-determination.
Pakistan protests killing of two citizens
Khan further said two Pakistani citizens were killed by India’s Border Security Force on October 2.
Pakistan summoned India’s chargé d’affaires to the Foreign Office on October 3 to lodge a protest over the killings, he said.
Islamabad called for an immediate, transparent and credible investigation into the incident, appropriate legal and disciplinary action against those responsible, and the sharing of the investigation’s findings.
Pakistan also urged India to exercise restraint and take effective measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.