Pakistan has indicated that Islamabad could host the next round of indirect negotiations between Iran and the United States.
The development comes after mediators reported positive progress during recent discussions held in Doha. Although no final decision has been made, officials said future talks could potentially take place in Pakistan.
The negotiations continue under a diplomatic framework established through the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which Pakistan and Qatar jointly facilitated.
Pakistan Reports Positive Progress in Doha Talks
During a weekly media briefing, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said Pakistan and Qatar held separate meetings with Iranian and American negotiators in Doha.
According to him, both sides agreed to continue the dialogue process in the coming period.
“There was positive progress made on issues related to the aspects of the Islamabad MoU, building on the Lake Lucerne Summit,” Andrabi said.
He added that the next round of discussions would be scheduled after the funeral of the late Iranian leader.
However, the spokesperson did not disclose specific details of the progress achieved.
He explained that the confidential nature of the negotiations required discretion.
Islamabad Could Host Future Negotiations
When asked whether Islamabad might host the next round of talks, Andrabi said the possibility could not be ruled out.
However, he clarified that no formal decision had yet been taken regarding the venue.
Despite keeping details confidential, the spokesperson emphasized that the diplomatic process remains active.
“We should rejoice in the fact that the dialogue is continuing. The parties are still at the table,” he said.
His remarks suggest that both sides remain committed to continuing negotiations despite ongoing regional challenges.
Prime Minister to Visit Tehran
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is scheduled to travel to Tehran to attend the funeral of Ayatollah Khamenei.
The visit aims to convey Pakistan’s condolences and demonstrate Islamabad’s close relationship with Iran.
At the same time, the trip highlights Pakistan’s expanding diplomatic role in facilitating dialogue between Tehran and Washington.
Last month, Pakistan and Qatar jointly helped mediate the signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding.
The agreement created a framework for renewed diplomatic engagement between Iran and the United States.
Pakistan Criticizes India’s Position on Indus Waters Treaty
The Foreign Office also addressed regional issues during the briefing.
Andrabi criticized India’s decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty.
He rejected India’s attempt to connect terrorism allegations with the treaty’s suspension.
“The real issue is not terrorism. The real issue is the growing disposition within the Indian leadership to treat a shared international river system as a strategic asset that can be controlled, withheld or diverted at will,” he said.
The spokesperson maintained that no country could deprive Pakistan of its water resources.
He also said Pakistan reserves the right to protect its interests under international law.
Furthermore, he reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to implementing the treaty while keeping communication channels open through the Indus Water Commissioners mechanism.
Pakistan Reiterates Concerns Over Afghanistan
The Foreign Office also discussed security concerns involving Afghanistan.
According to Andrabi, Afghan territory continues to be used by terrorist groups responsible for attacks inside Pakistan.
He stated that Afghan nationals, including one terrorist arrested alive, were involved in the recent terrorist attack in Karachi.
Following the incident, Pakistan summoned Afghanistan’s chargé d’affaires and issued a formal demarche.
Responding to questions about Pakistan’s recent cross-border strikes, Andrabi said the operations targeted terrorist hideouts only.
He described the actions as intelligence-based, targeted, and proportional.
The spokesperson also stated that Pakistan reserves the right to respond to provocations, including drone incursions originating from across the border, under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter.
Regional Connectivity Depends on Security
While discussing bilateral relations with Afghanistan, Andrabi acknowledged that security concerns continue to affect regional connectivity projects.
He said trade and broader economic initiatives cannot move forward unless terrorism concerns are effectively addressed.
At the same time, he clarified that there has been no change in the diplomatic status of Pakistan’s mission in Kabul or Afghanistan’s diplomatic mission in Islamabad.
Pakistan now appears set to continue playing an active diplomatic role in regional affairs.
Whether Islamabad ultimately hosts the next round of Iran-US negotiations will likely
