Pakistan: Islamabad's Memorandum of Understanding the Only Way to Achieve Permanent Peace in the Region

Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Muhammad Ishaq Dar, confirmed on Friday that the “Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding,” aimed at ending military confrontations between the United States and Iran, is the only way forward to achieve lasting peace in the region. The Pakistani Foreign Ministry said in a statement that this remark was made during a meeting in Islamabad between Dar and Natalie A. Baker, the Acting Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad, to discuss the latest regional developments and ways to enhance bilateral cooperation between the two countries. The ministry added that Dar praised the positive trajectory of Pakistan-U.S. relations, emphasizing the importance of dialogue and diplomacy in achieving lasting peace. The ministry noted that Baker, for her part, commended Pakistan’s constructive role in promoting regional peace and stability. Washington and Tehran signed the “Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding” on June 18 last year, which calls for a cessation of hostilities, the lifting of the U.S. naval blockade on Iran, and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, while negotiations continue toward a final agreement mediated by Qatar and Pakistan.