Pakistan has dispatched a diplomatic delegation from Djibouti to Somalia as part of ongoing efforts to ensure the safe release of Pakistani hostages, emphasizing that this remains a top priority for the government. The Foreign Office spokesperson, Tahir Andrabi, highlighted the use of diverse channels including diplomatic avenues, friendly nations, local NGOs, and the support of activist Ansar Burney to facilitate the hostages’ freedom.
In a significant development, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian visited Pakistan on Tuesday at the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Pezeshkian was accompanied by a senior delegation, including Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. During his visit, the Iranian president held meetings with Pakistan’s President, Prime Minister, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Discussions between Prime Minister Sharif and President Pezeshkian focused on strengthening bilateral ties, particularly through the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
Meanwhile, Pakistan and Qatar jointly hosted the inaugural high-level session under the Islamabad MoU framework concerning US-Iran nuclear negotiations. This session was attended by Prime Minister Sharif, US Vice President JD Vance, and Iran’s Parliament Speaker. Senior negotiators are set to provide regular updates to the high-level committee on the progress of these talks. Pakistan and Qatar will maintain ongoing communication with the American and Iranian technical teams in the upcoming weeks.
Andrabi noted the positive international response to Pakistan’s mediating role, welcoming commendations from various countries and the global community for its constructive engagement.
On the regional front, the fourth meeting of R4 foreign ministers took place in Cairo on June 21, where the Islamabad MoU was reviewed. Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, who participated in the session, also held a meeting with the Egyptian President on the sidelines. In recent weeks, Deputy PM Dar has engaged in telephonic discussions with foreign ministers from Italy, Japan, China, Turkey, Egypt, Canada, Qatar, Bahrain, Iran, Uzbekistan, the European Union, and Switzerland, further underscoring Pakistan’s active diplomatic outreach.
