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Expressing optimism over the prospects of the US and Iran reaching a peace agreement, Pakistan Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said on May 7 that Islamabad was hopeful on the matter and expects an agreement between Tehran and Washington “sooner rather than later.”
Making a statement in the latest press briefing, Andrabi, when asked about when can an agreement between the two warring nations be expected, said “You have asked us how soon we can expect an agreement. We remain optimistic. A simple answer would be that we expect an agreement sooner rather than later. We hope that the parties will come to a peaceful, sustainable solution and bring peace, not just to our region but internationally as well,” he said.
As such, Islamabad would welcome a settlement between Iran and the US wherever it may be reached, Andrabi added.
“If an agreement is reached in Pakistan, it would be an honor for us,” he said, reports Dawn.
Pakistan has been playing the role of the mediator, facilitating diplomatic outreach between Tehran and Washington, and trying to get the two nations to talk, though so far, no resolution seems to be coming anytime soon with tensions remaining at an all-time high.
As per the outlet, the FO spokesperson also said he could not say whether the draft of the agreement would be one page or longer.
Asked whether the US government could be under pressure to end the war due to the upcoming mid-term elections, the Pakistan FO official evading the question responded “We want a peaceful settlement, a peaceful solution, irrespective of what the causes are or and how the countries are compelled to reach a diplomatic solution.
“So, I think let’s not focus on the causes but focus on the effect. And the effect should be that there is peace, there is a peaceful settlement – we hope for that effect to take place.”
Andrabi’s remarks came as the US and Iran seemingly closed in towards reaching an agreement over the framework for a peace deal on Wednesday, with Tehran reportedly reviewing a fresh proposal from Washington for a peace following its abrupt suspension of ‘Project Freedom’ launched by President Donald Trump to restore shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
He also recalled in his weekly briefing that PM Shehbaz Sharif had welcomed, what he called a “timely announcement” in pausing ‘Project Freedom’ and noted that Pakistan remained firmly committed to supporting all efforts that promoted restraint and the peaceful resolution of conflict between the US and Iran through dialogue and diplomacy.
He added that Sharif had also expressed hope that the “current momentum” would lead to a more durable, and longer lasting agreement between the two, which could help in creating long-term peace and stability in both the region, and beyond.
Andrabi further stated that “working with the same spirit of optimism and positive engagement,” Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar had remained in contact with his counterparts throughout the last week in an effort to pursue peace, diplomacy and a peaceful settlement between Washington and Tehran.
