Pezeshkian lauds Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts, calls for ‘trust-building’ to secure peace talks

While appreciating Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s sincere diplomatic efforts, Iranian President Dr Masoud Pezeshkian on Saturday stressed upon the need to build trust in order to facilitate talks and mediation to ease the escalation in the Middle East, the PM Office stated.

In this regard, during a telephonic conversation, President Pezeshkian praised PM Shehbaz for Pakistan’s supportive role for peace in the region. According to the PMO, the president also shared his perspective on the ongoing hostilities perpetrated by Israel against Iran.

The two leaders held extensive discussions regarding the ongoing hostilities in the region and peace efforts.

The development comes as the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Egypt are set to arrive in Islamabad on Sunday on a two-day visit, in a major diplomatic push to curb the escalating Middle East conflict.

The Foreign Office on Saturday stated that Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Turkish FM Hakan Fidan, and Egyptian FM Dr Badr Abdelatty will visit from March 29 to 30 at the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.

The foreign ministers will hold in-depth discussions on a range of issues, including efforts to de-escalate tensions in the region. The visiting dignitaries will also call on Shehbaz, the FO stated.

During the detailed conversation, that lasted over one hour today, PM Shehbaz reiterated Pakistan’s condemnation of the continued Israeli attacks on Iran, including the latest attacks on civilian infrastructure on Friday. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s solidarity and support for the brave people of Iran, in these challenging times. He also offered condolences on the loss of over 1900 precious lives and prayed for recovery of the injured and displaced.

The premier apprised the Iranian president of the diplomatic outreach efforts currently being undertaken by him, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar as well as Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, to engage the US, brotherly Gulf and Islamic countries, to create a conducive environment for peace talks.

He also briefed the Iranian president on the strong endorsement of Pakistan’s peace initiative and expressed the hope that a viable path towards ending hostilities could be found collectively.

PM Shehbaz thanked the Iranian president and assured him that Pakistan would continue to play a constructive role for bringing peace and stability in the region.

In a social media post, PM Shehbaz also said that he thanked the Iranian president for his appreciation of Pakistan’s sincere efforts to advance peace and facilitate dialogue in the region.

“I apprised him of Pakistan’s ongoing diplomatic outreach - engaging the United States and brotherly Gulf and Islamic countries - to facilitate dialogue and de-escalation,” he maintained.