• FO backs Muscat dialogue, says Islamabad ‘prepared to participate in any type of diplomacy’ on Iran
• Confirms PM Shehbaz, FM Dar will attend ‘Board of Peace’ assembly in Washington subsequent week
• Pakistan ‘will stand by Muslim bloc to lift collective voice for Palestinians’
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday urged america and Iran to maneuver in the direction of direct negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear program.
“Whereas we stand able to take part in any format of dialogue and diplomacy on Iran, we encourage the related events to have as direct a negotiation framework as potential,” Overseas Workplace spokesperson Tahir Andrabi stated on the weekly media briefing.
The oblique Iran-US talks passed off in Muscat on Feb 6 amid heightened regional tensions, together with an expanded US army presence and warnings from President Donald Trump of extreme penalties if no deal is reached.
The session was mediated by Omani Overseas Minister Badr al-Busaidi, who shuttled between the 2 sides. Each side described the discussions as a “good begin”.
A follow-up go to by Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme Nationwide Safety Council, passed off in Muscat round Feb 9-10 to debate subsequent steps.
No date or venue has been formally introduced for the following spherical of talks, though each side have signaled their intention to proceed discussions pending consultations of their respective capitals.
On Thursday, Mr Andrabi stated Islamabad hoped the momentum generated in Muscat would proceed. “We hope the positivity (in Oman talks) could be carried ahead by the events within the conduct of those talks,” he famous.
Diplomatic efforts
“Pakistan welcomes the talks in Oman between related events. We help all initiatives of dialogue and diplomacy to settle.”
excellent points, together with this query of nuclear talks,” Mr Andrabi stated. He known as the event “a constructive development in the direction of a negotiated answer”. Through the briefing, Mr Andrabi was requested particularly about Pakistan’s function within the Muscat course of, however he didn’t instantly tackle whether or not Islamabad had facilitated contacts or participated behind the scenes. Nonetheless, he reiterated that Pakistan helps dialogue and could be able to take part “in any format”, if requested.
Earlier than Oman, talks between the US and Iran had been initially slated to be held in Istanbul, the place a number of regional gamers had been additionally anticipated to participate. When Tehran requested for a change of venue and sought to restrict the agenda of the talks, it additionally restricted the scope for engagement by regional gamers, resembling Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.
Diplomatic sources stated {that a} prime Pakistani official had visited Oman, and met with US envoy Steve Witkoff on the sidelines of the dialogue course of, however there was no official affirmation on this regard.
Since June final 12 months, Pakistan has acknowledged performing as a messenger between Tehran and Washington, one thing which was additionally confirmed by the Overseas Workplace.
Instantly after the Muscat talks, Iran’s ambassador in Islamabad had known as on Deputy Prime Minister and Overseas Minister Ishaq Dar to transient him on Tehran’s place. Days later, Iranian Overseas Minister Abbas Araghchi and Mr. Dar spoke by telephone.
In accordance with Iranian accounts of the decision, Mr. Araghchi defined Tehran’s positions relating to what it described as a good and simply settlement and elaborated on the method of oblique negotiations in Muscat. Mr Dar wished success for the negotiations and emphasised Pakistan’s readiness to help diplomacy.
The spokesperson additionally pointed to latest high-level contacts between Islamabad and Tehran. “Our deputy prime minister and overseas minister spoke twice along with his Iranian counterpart. We’re sustaining shut contact on the management stage,” he stated, including that the prime minister had a dialog with the Iranian president within the latest previous. “Our help for dialogue and diplomacy continues,” he added.
‘Board of Peace’ assembly
Mr Andrabi additionally confirmed that PM Shehbaz Sharif will attend the inaugural assembly of President Donald Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ subsequent week, saying Pakistan would use the platform to push for a simply and lasting answer to the Palestine concern.
The leaders-level assembly of the Board of Peace is scheduled for February 19 in Washington. It can mark the primary formal gathering of the multinational physique since its constitution was signed throughout a ceremony on the World Financial Discussion board in Davos on Jan 22.
“I can affirm that the prime minister will attend the upcoming Board of Peace assembly. He will probably be accompanied by the deputy prime minister,” Mr Andrabi informed the weekly media briefing.
“As regards the opposite members of the delegation and on engagements of the delegation within the US, we’ll inform you sooner or later of time,” he stated when requested to touch upon reviews that Area Marshal Munir would additionally be a part of the prime minister on the session.
US officers and media reviews recommend the Feb 19 summit will deal with fundraising for Gaza’s reconstruction, implementation of ceasefire phases together with transitional governance and safety preparations, and clarification of the board’s broader mandate and construction.
“We have now joined the Board of Peace in good religion. We’re in it, not in isolation, not as one voice, however as a collective voice of eight Islamic-Arab nations,” Mr. Andrabi stated, referring to 2 statements that had been issued by these nations, not simply on Gaza, but in addition on the West Financial institution.
“Our collective voice is resonating within the Board of Peace, and we’ll proceed to attempt for the rights, peace and prosperity of the folks of Palestine, aimed on the long-term answer of the Palestine concern — to create a state of Palestine, in accordance with the pre-1967 border with Al Quds Al Sharif as its capital.”
“So, our engagement is for short-, medium- and long-term answer of the plight of the Palestinian folks,” he maintained.
Printed in Daybreak, February thirteenth, 2026
