Pakistan, Iran to enter new era: PM Shehbaz

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday described the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the US and Iran aimed at ending their conflict as a major diplomatic triumph in which Pakistan played a key mediating role, calling it a moment of “extraordinary national honour” and evidence of the country’s enhanced global standing.

Addressing the National Assembly a day after what he said was his electronic signing of the US-Iran MoU as mediator, following an agreement between Washington and Tehran to end their conflict, the prime minister cast Pakistan’s role in the diplomatic process as a historic success.

He said he expected Pakistan and Iran to enter a new phase of expanded economic cooperation, stronger bilateral ties, and broader regional prosperity following the agreement.

READ MORE: Historic US-Iran memorandum electronically signed with Pakistan as mediator: PM Shehbaz

Sharif told lawmakers that Pakistan had been “granted a level of respect and stature that nations do not achieve in centuries,” and urged political unity, saying national interest must take precedence over political divisions.

He added that Pakistan’s international standing had improved at a critical moment and called for a unified national message.

A substantial portion of his speech focused on what he described as coordinated efforts among civilian leadership, military institutions, and political stakeholders to facilitate the diplomatic process.

He credited Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir with sustained involvement over two and a half months, saying this helped keep negotiations on track during periods when they risked collapsing.

Sharif also acknowledged the roles of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, provincial governments, coalition partners, and opposition lawmakers, describing the effort as a collective national undertaking.

He congratulated President Asif Ali Zardari, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif for their contributions during what he called a difficult diplomatic period.

The prime minister said Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian had directly acknowledged Pakistan’s role during a 30-minute telephone call on Thursday evening, expressing gratitude for Pakistan’s support and solidarity.

He said he had invited Pezeshkian to visit Islamabad, and that the Iranian president had indicated willingness to do so “at the earliest opportunity.”

Sharif also told lawmakers that Pakistan had been invited to attend funeral rites for Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in early July, and said Pakistan would participate as a matter of respect for Iran’s leadership and people.

He further said Pakistan had received appreciation from several international actors, including the US, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and China.

He praised US President Donald Trump for what he described as facilitating negotiations that led to a permanent end to hostilities between Washington and Tehran.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026