Pakistan, Qatar vow to sustain momentum as US-Iran talks make ‘breakthrough progress’

• PM Shehbaz, Qatari emir express satisfaction at 'positive progress' in US-Iran talks, agreeing to sustain momentum

• Sheikh Tamim congratulates Pakistan on diplomacy leading to Islamabad MoU as Qatar intensifies regional diplomacy with fresh talks on Strait of Hormuz

• PM credits Field Marshal Asim Munir and friendly nations for advancing process, saying Lake Lucerne Summit paved way for further US-Iran technical negotiations

• Leaders reaffirm commitment to continued dialogue and regional peace efforts

 ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday received a telephone call from Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, with the two leaders expressing satisfaction over the positive progress achieved in the first round of US-Iran technical talks in Switzerland and reaffirming their commitment to sustaining the momentum through continued diplomacy and dialogue.

During the conversation, the Qatari emir congratulated the prime minister on Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts that culminated in the signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the United States and Iran, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

ISLAMABAD: 24 June 2026.

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif received a telephone call from His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar, this afternoon.

During their most warm and cordial conversation, His Highness the Amir congratulated the… pic.twitter.com/hoNiVHtGRm

— Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) June 24, 2026

The two leaders held what was described as a warm and cordial exchange, during which the emir praised Pakistan’s leadership and reiterated Qatar’s support for Islamabad’s peace initiatives aimed at promoting regional stability.

Prime Minister Shehbaz thanked the Qatari leadership for its continued support throughout the peace process and acknowledged the contributions of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and other friendly countries, including Qatar, in advancing diplomatic efforts.

In a post on X following the conversation, the prime minister said the two leaders had expressed satisfaction at the “initial success” achieved during the first round of technical talks between the United States and Iran in Switzerland and agreed on the importance of maintaining the momentum through sustained engagement.

“Had a warm and most cordial telephone conversation with my dear brother, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar, this afternoon,” PM Shehbaz wrote.

Had a warm and most cordial telephone conversation with my dear brother, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar, this afternoon.

I thanked His Highness for Qatar’s steadfast support for the peace efforts that culminated in the historic Islamabad…

— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) June 24, 2026

He said he thanked the Qatari emir for his country’s “steadfast support for the peace efforts that culminated in the historic Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding,” signed by the United States and Iran on June 18.

“We expressed satisfaction at the positive progress made during the first round of technical talks in Bürgenstock and agreed on the importance of sustaining this momentum through continued dialogue and diplomacy,” he added.

The prime minister also thanked the emir for his condolences over the death of a Pakistani national in the recent fire incident at the Ras Laffan liquefied natural gas (LNG) complex in Qatar.

At least 13 people were killed and 66 others injured in the incident, which Qatari authorities attributed to a technical malfunction. Twelve of those who died were Indian nationals.

PM Shehbaz also appreciated the Qatari leadership for its generous hospitality towards the large Pakistani community residing in Qatar.

Reaffirming the importance Islamabad attaches to its close and brotherly relations with Doha, the prime minister said Pakistan looked forward to welcoming the Qatari emir later this year.

Earlier, during talks in Islamabad with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, who visited Pakistan on Tuesday, PM Shehbaz had acknowledged the Qatari emir’s pivotal role in supporting the peace efforts.

He had also expressed appreciation for the steadfast support and encouragement extended by Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and Egypt throughout the diplomatic process.

Key direct negotiations between the United States and Iran, dubbed the “Lake Lucerne Summit,” were held on June 20-21 in Switzerland’s Bürgenstock, marking the launch of talks under the Islamabad MoU.

The negotiations in the Swiss resort town were jointly facilitated by Pakistan and Qatar, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir representing Pakistan.

Under the 14-point accord, signed by PM Shehbaz in his capacity as mediator, the United States and Iran agreed on a framework aimed at ending the conflict, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, and negotiating key outstanding issues within 60 days of the agreement.

The Lake Lucerne Summit also established a mechanism for continued technical talks between Washington and Tehran, which are scheduled to continue this week.

In addition, the summit created a dedicated communication channel to prevent incidents and miscalculations in the Strait of Hormuz and agreed on the establishment of a “de-confliction cell” aimed at preventing renewed hostilities in Lebanon.

Following the talks, the United States temporarily suspended sanctions on Iranian oil. The general licence permits the sale of Iranian-origin crude oil, petrochemical products, and petroleum products through August 21.

Meanwhile, Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani travelled to Oman on Wednesday to initiate discussions involving Gulf states, Iraq, and Iran on issues related to the Strait of Hormuz, a diplomat briefed on the talks told AFP.