High-level committee established to provide political oversight and initiate further technical negotiations
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif with the Iranian delegation in Bürgenstock, Switzerland for US-Iran technical talks. PHOTO: SHEHBAZ SHARIF/X
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday welcomed the “successful conclusion” of the first meeting of the high-level committee held under the framework of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding in Bürgenstock, Switzerland, saying the talks have produced “encouraging progress” and a roadmap towards a final agreement within 60 days.
The first round of quadrilateral talks involving Iran and the United States, with mediation by Qatar and Pakistan, concluded in Switzerland, marking the first formal follow-up commitment since the signing of the deal earlier this week.
In a post on X, Prime Minister Shehbaz said: “Alhamdulillah, the first meeting of the High Level Committee … has been successfully concluded in Bürgenstock, Switzerland.”
He added that the discussions were held in a “positive and constructive atmosphere” and “provided encouraging progress”, including “agreement on a roadmap towards a final agreement within 60 days”, the establishment of a “high-level committee to provide political oversight” and the start of further technical negotiations.
Alhamdulillah, the first high-level committee meeting under the Islamabad MoU has been successfully concluded in Bürgenstock, Switzerland.
The discussions were held in a positive and constructive atmosphere and gave encouraging progress,… pic.twitter.com/uvA0SBKfvf
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) June 22, 2026
The prime minister said he “commends the leadership of both the United States as well as Iran for their continued commitment to constructive engagement,” adding that he appreciated their “continued commitment to dialogue and diplomacy.”
He also thanked “all fraternal and friendly countries” for what he called their “valuable support in advancing this historic process”.
Sharif singled out Qatar for special praise, saying: “I would like to express my gratitude to our brotherly country Qatar, for its critical support in creating the necessary conditions for these negotiations to move forward.”
He further acknowledged Switzerland’s role “for their facilitation in hosting these talks.”
Prime Minister Shehbaz paid “special tribute to Field Marshal Asim Munir” for his “tireless efforts” that made the talks possible, adding that his “dedication, commitment and perseverance are truly commendable without which there would have been no progress.”
He also praised Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, praising his “diplomatic efforts along with his team in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.” The Prime Minister further appreciated Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, saying he “contributed immensely to the success of these negotiations.”
Read: FM Dar welcomes ‘significant progress’ in US-Iran talks
The prime minister pledged that Pakistan would “continue to play its honest and sincere role in promoting dialogue and diplomacy towards a peaceful and lasting solution”, signaling continued commitment as technical-level talks continue in Switzerland.
According to a joint statement by Pakistan and Qatar, the parties had agreed on a roadmap to reach a final agreement within 60 days. A communication channel would be established during the negotiations to prevent incidents and miscommunications, including measures aimed at ensuring the safe passage of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.
It also announced the creation of a Pakistan- and Qatar-facilitated “de-conflict cell” involving Lebanon to oversee compliance with commitments related to the cessation of military operations in the country.
On June 18, Prime Minister Shehbaz signed the ‘Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding’ as a mediator, formalizing the major diplomatic breakthrough between the US and Iran. Israel, which has been left out of the peace talks, has distanced itself from the US-Iran deal and continued to fight the Iran-allied Hezbollah militant group in Lebanon, also raising questions about whether the deal would last.
The US and Israel launched the war against Iran on February 28, assassinating former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and military leaders on the first day.
It quickly developed into a regional conflict that has killed more than 7,000 people, mostly in Iran and Lebanon; drove up energy prices; renewed inflationary pressures and sparked concerns about a major food supply crisis in developing countries.
