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US-Iran peace MeMorandUM Set for SIGnInG In SwItzerland on frIday
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Wednesday, 17 June, 2026 | 1 Muharram, 1448
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SWISS AUTHORITIES CONFIRM BÜRGENSTOCK AS VENUE FOR HISTORIC SIGNING
US PRESIDENT URGES GREATER ISRAELI RESTRAINT IN LEBANON
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Rs 20.00 | Vol XVII No 83 | 8 Pages | Islamabad Edition
TRUMP SAYS AGREEMENT EXPLICITLY BARS IRAN FROM ACQUIRING NUCLEAR WEAPONS QATAR PRAISES PAKISTANI MEDIATION, SEES PATH TO REGIONAL STABILITY
pakistan, China welcome iran-uS peace deal, reaffirm support for regional stability ISLAMABAD
MIAN ABRAR
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ISLAMABAD/GENEVA AGENCIES
memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the United States and Iran is scheduled to be formally signed on Friday at the Bürgenstock resort in central Switzerland, with Swiss authorities confirming preparations for the landmark event amid growing international optimism over prospects for regional peace and stability. The Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) said it had been coordinating closely with the United States, Iran, Pakistan and Qatar regarding arrangements for the signing ceremony. “At this stage, the signing is scheduled for Friday, June 19, at Bürgenstock in the canton of Nidwalden,” FDFA spokesperson Pierre-Alain Eltschinger confirmed.
According to Swiss officials, the venue was jointly proposed by Pakistani and Qatari mediators, as well as by Washington and Tehran. The Swiss government said it was acting as a facilitator by providing the practical and diplomatic conditions necessary for the meeting to take place on Swiss territory. However, officials declined to provide details regarding the contents of the memorandum or the signing process. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said the agreement clearly stipulates that Iran will not be allowed to possess nuclear weapons. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in France, Trump said he intended to release the full text of the memorandum in a formal setting after the signing ceremony. “The only thing that really matters to me is Iran will
Pakistan and China on Tuesday welcomed the understanding reached between Iran and the United States under a recently concluded Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), describing it as a significant step towards promoting lasting peace, stability and economic security in the region. The remarks were made during a telephone conversation between Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar and Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, according to a statement issued by Pakistan’s Foreign Office. The two leaders expressed satisfaction over the breakthrough agreement between Washington and Tehran and underscored the importance of continued diplomatic engagement to ensure
never have a nuclear weapon, and it says it loud and clear,” Trump said. He also indicated that he was open to submitting the agreement to the US Congress for review, following calls from some Republican lawmakers. “I like the idea. I will send it to Congress,” he told reporters.
the successful implementation of the understandings reached by the two sides. According to the Foreign Office, Wang Yi commended Pakistan’s proactive diplomatic outreach and mediation efforts, which helped create a conducive environment for sustained dialogue between Iran and the United States. The Chinese foreign minister appreciated Pakistan’s role in facilitating negotiations and acknowledged its contribution to advancing international peace and regional stability. For his part, Dar appreciated China’s consistent support for Pakistan’s efforts to promote dialogue and diplomacy between Tehran and Washington. He also acknowledged China’s constructive role in promoting regional peace, particularly through Chinese President Xi Jinping’s Four-Point Proposal and the Pakistan-China FivePoint Initiative aimed at easing tensions and encouraging negotiations.
Trump described the current accord as a framework agreement under which both sides would negotiate remaining details over the coming weeks. He expressed confidence that the next phase of negotiations would progress rapidly.
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Govt finalises Muharram security plan, vows crackdown on sectarian incitement ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudhry on Tuesday chaired a special meeting of the Paigham-i-Aman Committee to review security arrangements for Muharram and discuss measures to promote religious harmony and curb sectarian incitement. The meeting focused on ensuring peaceful observance of Muharram and strengthening inter-sect unity across the country. Participants deliberated on steps to promote religious tolerance and prevent the spread of hate speech and sectarian narratives. The committee decided that strict action would be taken against individuals using social media platforms to spread incitement, sectarianism and hatred during the holy month. Addressing the meeting, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said maintaining close and continuous engagement with religious scholars remained a key priority of the Interior Ministry. He announced that the Paigham-i-Pakistan Committee would be activated and strengthened at the district level to enhance efforts aimed at promoting peace, national unity and countering extremist narratives. Naqvi stressed the importance of public awareness campaigns based on the teachings of the Holy Quran and Sunnah to combat terrorism and extremism. “There is no room in Islam for rebellion against the state and spreading chaos,” he said, urging religious scholars to guide the public and help strengthen social cohesion. The minister also announced the appointment of a coordinator for the peace committee and described the maintenance of law and order during Muharram as a collective national responsibility. Referring to recent diplomatic developments, Naqvi credited Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for leading Pakistan’s role in facilitating dialogue between the United States and Iran, which culminated in the announcement of a peace agreement. He also praised Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for his role in the process, saying all stakeholders had worked together as a unified team. “A historic agreement between the two countries was reached as a result of teamwork and sincere efforts,” Naqvi said.