Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has termed ‘The Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding’ as a credible framework and very well thought out document, acceptable to both the parties for future negotiations.
According to a report by MOIB today, he said the technical level talks between Iran and the United States in Switzerland were aimed at implementing the recently announced ‘The Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding’.
About the remarkable mediatory role played by Pakistan between the United States and Iran, Ishaq Dar said Pakistan played a key role in facilitating dialogue between Washington and Tehran, which helped bringing the two sides together for the first time during forty-seven years.
The Deputy Prime Minister said Pakistan worked with regional and international partners to support mediation efforts and helped ensure the success of the talks.
He said nobody should doubt on the intentions of the signing parties. He said negotiators have been given thirty days to conclude work on certain issues, while the broader agreement is expected to be finalized within sixty days, which can be mutually extendable.
Ishaq Dar reiterated Pakistan’s position that navigation through the Strait of Hormuz should be restored to pre-28th February position when the conflict started.
He clarified that no transit or service fees will be imposed on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz during next sixty days. He further said the 60 days have now been guaranteed, during which, the parties will work out on the issues with the regional countries.
About the format of the parleys to reach a final deal within the stipulated timeframe, the Deputy Prime Minister said three technical teams are currently involved in negotiations between Washington and Tehran. He said these committees are discussing Iran’s nuclear program, frozen Iranian funds and the situation in Lebanon.
Answering a question about the fruits of the US-Iran Peace Deal, Ishaq Dar said we have seen already the dividends of this peace as the prices of energy have come down and the ships have started moving.