By Khushal Khan 

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan remains unwavering in its commitment to facilitating dialogue between the United States and Iran, with the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding serving as a "template for peace," Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said during his weekly press briefing on Wednesday.

Addressing journalists at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Andrabi provided a comprehensive overview of Pakistan's diplomatic engagements, regional peace efforts, and responses to recent developments, including the Red Sea attack that claimed three Pakistani lives and the signing of the landmark Makkah Joint Defence Agreement.

When questioned about the stalled peace process between Washington and Tehran, Andrabi expressed cautious optimism, emphasizing that Pakistan's role as a mediator and facilitator remains active and determined.

"The reason for optimism is that, as a mediator and facilitator of talks, we remain optimistic that a solution can be in sight," Andrabi stated. "If you see various cycles in this conflict, the parties have resorted to talks after escalation – there have been periods of heightened escalation, followed by relative calm and eventual dialogue. This is the natural progression of any armed conflict of international significance."

Addressing the status of the Islamabad MoU signed earlier this year, Andrabi acknowledged that the 60-day deadline, which expires on 17 August, is approaching. However, he expressed hope that the parties would either implement the agreement or extend the timeline to allow for continued dialogue.

"The agreement MoU may not have been implemented, particularly in the context of the follow-up joint statement between Pakistan and Qatar," he conceded. "But whenever the parties exhaust the logic of escalation, and whenever the rationality for dialogue overcomes the logic of escalation, the template for peace is provided in the Islamabad MoU and the Pakistan-Qatar Joint Statement."

He confirmed that Oman is currently engaged in talks with Iran regarding the Strait of Hormuz, with Pakistan and other brotherly countries providing support. "An agreement on the Strait of Hormuz is very important, as it will catalyse the larger agreement and implementation of the peace process agreed in Burgenstock," Andrabi noted.

The Spokesperson revealed that Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar has been actively engaged in diplomatic outreach, holding telephone conversations with the Foreign Ministers of Saudi Arabia, Iran, Kuwait, and Bahrain during the past week. Federal Minister for Interior Mohsin Naqvi also visited Tehran, carrying messages from the Prime Minister and Chief of Defence Forces in the context of peace efforts.

"We will continue to offset spoilers using direct and indirect channels and enable the continuation of constructive dialogue to resolve all outstanding issues," Andrabi asserted.

- Makkah Joint Defence Agreement

The Spokesperson dedicated significant attention to the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, signed on 7 August between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Türkiye, describing it as a "historic milestone" that reflects the three states' shared commitment to collective security.

"The Makkah Joint Defence Agreement reflects the three States' shared commitment to further strengthening their collective security and to promoting peace, security, and stability in the region and beyond," Andrabi said. "This Agreement is a natural step in the longstanding brotherly relations and strategic ties between the three countries and displays our resolve for sharing the burden of regional peace and security."

He emphasized that the agreement is "purely defensive in nature" and allows unified efforts to confront threats and security challenges to member states. "The agreement very clearly stipulates that an attack on one of the three states shall be regarded as an attack against all of them," he added.

Responding to intense Indian propaganda portraying the agreement as a "NATO-like alliance" or framing it in a sectarian context, Andrabi dismissed such narratives with "the disdain that such propaganda deserves."

"The agreement is intended to strengthen collective deterrence against any act of aggression," he clarified. "It is not about aggression. The three countries' focus of the agreement is on defence."

When questioned about parliamentary consultation, Andrabi firmly defended the government's position, stating that all internal procedures were followed in accordance with the Rules of Procedure of the Government of Pakistan.

"The Prime Minister is the signatory; he is the Leader of the House; he is the Leader of the National Assembly. The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister is also the leader of the House and member of the Senate. So, there is no question of not taking any stakeholders into consultation," he asserted.

He strongly dispelled notions of fragmentation within Pakistan's leadership or state institutions regarding the agreement, stating: "Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister is on record, in his message to the nation on the 10th of August, as stating that, under the leadership of the Prime Minister of Pakistan, as well as with the support of the Chief of Army Staff and the Chief of Defence Forces, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, under his own leadership, this agreement was signed."

Andrabi confirmed that the agreement remains open for other countries to join, though he declined to specify which nations might express interest in the future.

- Response to Indian Statements on Kashmir

The Spokesperson categorically rejected statements made by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs regarding recent protests in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, describing them as "baseless" and "disingenuous."

"India's professed concerns for human rights in AJK are disingenuous, given its own well-documented record of repression in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, including excessive use of force, arbitrary detentions, suppression of political freedom, and sweeping powers of security forces under the draconian laws enacted there," Andrabi stated.

He advised India to honor the commitments made by its founding fathers and uphold the right of the people of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir to freely determine their future through a UN-administered plebiscite, in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions.

"Rather than making such baseless statements regarding AJK, India would be well advised to honor the commitments made by its founding fathers," he added.

- Red Sea Attack and Maritime Security

On the recent Houthi attack on a commercial vessel in the Red Sea that killed three Pakistani nationals and injured one, Andrabi confirmed that Pakistan is in contact with Saudi authorities and the internationally recognized government of Yemen to ascertain further details.

"Pakistan strongly condemns this attack on a non-combatant commercial vessel," he stated. "Such attacks endanger innocent lives, constitute a violation of international law, and pose a serious threat to freedom of navigation, maritime security, and the safety of commercial shipping in the Red Sea."

He announced that Deputy Prime Minister Dar has directed the Pakistani Embassy in Riyadh to coordinate with concerned authorities for the retrieval and repatriation of the mortal remains of the deceased and to provide all possible assistance to the injured national.

Andrabi also confirmed Pakistan's support for the Saudi-led maritime coalition, stating: "Pakistan is a signatory to this coalition and abide by its communiqué. We are ready and willing to assist Saudi Arabia and other coalition partners in the operationalization of this communiqué to preserve the safety and security of the global supply chain, as well as maritime traffic."

- Gaza and Palestine

Addressing Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's recent remarks rejecting a Palestinian state and withdrawal from Gaza, Andrabi expressed serious concern, warning that such a position would be "a serious setback" to peace efforts.

"The disarmament of Hamas and the evacuation of Gaza by Israeli troops were twin commitments," he noted. "We hope that Israel will abide by its commitments."

He reaffirmed Pakistan's support for Palestinian statehood, stating: "Palestinian statehood has an established international legality. Remarks to the contrary to this established international legality mean nothing. These are his views, which we emphatically reject."

On the US State Department's Fiscal Transparency Report 2026, which stated that Pakistan did not meet minimum fiscal transparency requirements, Andrabi responded cautiously.

"Pakistan adheres to internationally established best practices with respect to fiscal transparency, the budgeting process, and financial disclosure," he said. "It is also required to follow our own constitutional, legislative, and regulatory framework."

He noted that Pakistan is currently in an IMF program focused on structural reform and improving fiscal management, and has successfully completed three IMF reviews, with reforms widely appreciated by international rating agencies and the IMF.

Andrabi also highlighted Pakistan's political consultations and Joint Trade Committee meetings with New Zealand, where an Education Cooperation Arrangement was signed to deepen collaboration in the education sector. He confirmed that the Bahraini Foreign Minister has expressed intention to visit Pakistan soon, and that invitations have been extended to Iranian leadership for visits on mutually convenient dates.

"The Government of Pakistan will continue to closely follow all situations and share details with the media as and when they become available," Andrabi concluded.