Pakistan Prime Minister Expresses Optimism Over US-Iran Memorandum
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday voiced his hope that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the United States and Iran will evolve into a "long-lasting agreement." The Islamabad MoU, signed on June 18, aims to restore peace in West Asia and advance negotiations on regional security and other contentious issues.
Addressing the parliament after a debate that led to the passage of the budget for 2026-27, Sharif stated, "We fully hope that the MoU will turn into a long-lasting agreement over the next 60 days, leading to peace in the world." The budget was passed despite opposition from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party.
High-Level Talks Under Islamabad MoU Framework
Sharif provided details on the latest high-level talks held at the Swiss resort of Burgenstock under the Islamabad MoU framework. He noted that intense negotiations began on Sunday and continued past midnight into Monday, with delegations from the US and Iran discussing thorny issues. Pakistan and Qatar participated as mediators.
Technical-level talks between the US and Iran are scheduled over the next 60 days, covering Iran's nuclear assets, ballistic missiles, and frozen assets. Sharif emphasized Pakistan's sincere efforts to bridge the distance between the two sides, adding that a joint statement was issued by the mediators in the early hours of Monday.
Pakistan's Historic Mediating Role
Sharif congratulated the parliament and the nation on Pakistan's "key" and "historic" role in mediating between the US and Iran. He also announced that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian would visit Pakistan for discussions on bilateral and regional issues. This marks Pezeshkian's second visit to Pakistan as president. He is scheduled to meet President Asif Ali Zardari and hold talks with Sharif, as well as with Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, the Senate chairman, and the National Assembly Speaker.
Criticism and Budget Passage
In his address, Sharif criticized opposition leader Mehmood Khan Achakzai for boycotting his speech, stating it was not due to mutual differences. Achakzai staged a walkout after accusing the government of failing to uphold the constitution by diluting the powers of the judiciary. "We have taken an oath to protect the Constitution of Pakistan. You have supported undemocratic forces in trampling the Constitution; through your vote, you have clipped the wings of the judiciary," Achakzai later posted on X.
Meanwhile, the National Assembly passed the budget after Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb moved the bill to approve proposals for the next fiscal year. The federal government presented a Rs 18,771 billion budget for 2026-27 on June 12, including Rs 3,000 billion reserved for defence.
