Iran-US talks resume after 47 years as Pakistan pushes peace efforts

Islamabad: Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions between Iran and the United States reached several major milestones, including talks between the two countries after 47 years and the signing of an Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding on June 18, the Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs was informed.

The committee was told that Pakistan played a leading role in efforts to bring the two sides closer to dialogue during the conflict and helped create conditions for an initial ceasefire on April 8.

The Islamabad Talks were then held on April 10 and 11, with officials saying the meetings brought the United States and Iran to the negotiating table for the first time in 47 years.

The committee, chaired by Senator Agha Shazaib Durrani, was informed that Pakistan continued its contacts with both sides after the initial ceasefire and worked to help maintain a space for further negotiations.

The diplomatic process later led to the signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding on June 18 by the presidents of Iran and the United States, with Pakistan endorsing the document in its role as mediator.

Officials said Pakistan, along with Qatar, later hosted high-level technical talks in Switzerland as part of efforts to move the memorandum toward implementation.

The committee was told that the Iran US conflict also affected the global economy, particularly because of uncertainty around the Strait of Hormuz. Members were informed that the situation created concerns about energy supplies and food security and also affected Pakistan.

Pakistan has called for the early return of normal maritime activity in Hormuz and stressed the importance of safe movement of ships in the area.

Officials said Islamabad would continue efforts to build trust between Iran and the United States and encourage both sides to return to negotiations, with the stated goal of achieving lasting peace in the region.

The committee also raised questions about appointments and absorptions in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Members were given details about officials appointed on deputation and later absorbed into the ministry during the last five years, along with information about ad hoc and temporary appointments.

Officials told the committee that deputation appointments are not made through the regular quota system.

The briefing, however, led members to seek more information about the absorption of officials from fields that committee members considered unrelated to the main requirements of the Foreign Service.

The committee directed the ministry to provide a complete table showing the total number of such officials, their appointment dates, grades, places of domicile, details of absorption and the criteria used for each appointment.

The committee also reviewed the situation involving Pakistanis in South Africa.

The Pakistani High Commissioner informed the committee that four Pakistanis had been killed in South Africa and said the incident was linked to a personal dispute rather than the wider riots being discussed.

He told the committee that the incident took place at a location where such an event was considered unlikely and that local authorities were investigating the matter.

The High Commissioner also told the committee that a possible contract killing plot had emerged in connection with the deaths.

He further raised concerns about criminal activity involving some members of the Pakistani community in South Africa and said there had been cases in which Pakistanis were reportedly targeted through gangs.

The committee reviewed the matter as part of its wider concern about the safety of Pakistanis abroad and the need for effective diplomatic engagement with local authorities.