PM, CDF reach Switzerland to attend Islamabad MoU talks

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Switzerland on Sunday along with his delegation to take part in high-level discussions on the implementation of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), according to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

The PMO said Prime Minister Shehbaz and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir would participate in the high-level talks focused on advancing the understandings reached under the Islamabad MoU.

The premier landed in Zurich ahead of technical-level talks between Iran and the United States scheduled for today. The meeting follows the landmark peace agreement signed on Thursday, which brought an end to months of tensions that had destabilised the Middle East and triggered global economic uncertainty. Under the accord, Washington and Tehran agreed on a framework aimed at ending the conflict, lifting the US blockade on Iran and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

Earlier, the Foreign Office (FO) announced that the prime minister, accompanied by Field Marshal Asim Munir, had departed for Bürgenstock to attend the discussions, describing them as the first formal engagement between the US and Iran since the signing of the agreement on June 17. Senior delegations from the United States, Iran and Qatar are also participating.

State broadcaster PTV later reported that Prime Minister Shehbaz had arrived at the venue in Bürgenstock. He was accompanied by Information Minister Ataullah Tarar and other senior officials. State media also confirmed the arrival of Field Marshal Asim Munir and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi at the Swiss resort.

The Foreign Office reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to facilitating the implementation of the understandings reached between Iran and the United States.

It added that Prime Minister Shehbaz is expected to hold separate meetings with representatives from Iran, the United States, Qatar and Switzerland to reiterate Pakistan’s support for dialogue and lasting peace in the region.

The FO noted that Pakistan’s role throughout the crisis reflected its balanced and constructive approach, which included hosting earlier rounds of US-Iran negotiations and maintaining sustained diplomatic engagement that ultimately helped pave the way for the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding.