A Pakistan delegation led by the country’s Foreign Secretary has reached Switzerland ahead of the formal signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding between the United States and Iran, which is set for Friday. The ceremony will take place at the Bürgenstock Resort overlooking Lake Lucerne.
The Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and the Information Minister Attaullah Tarar are expected to attend. Security has been stepped up with the venue in its final preparations.
Pakistan’s inclusion at the signing ceremony underscores its pivotal role in negotiating the deal. Prime Minister Sharif endorsed the MoU as mediator when it was signed electronically in the early hours of June 18. Field Marshal Munir was particularly credited with being instrumental in facilitating the breakthrough. The Bürgenstock signing formalises what has already been agreed and places Pakistan visibly at the table as the deal is completed before the international community.
The agreement includes Iran’s immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the lifting of the US naval blockade, with further negotiations on Iran’s nuclear programme to follow under a 60-day ceasefire framework.
