Efforts still underway to broker settlement in Middle East: PM Shehbaz
- Says it's due to efforts of Pakistan that ceasefire is still intact
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday said it was due to the sincere efforts of Pakistani leadership that ceasefire in the Middle East is still intact.
Addressing a cabinet meeting in Islamabad, PM Shehbaz said full efforts are underway to broker a settlement in the Middle East by bridging critical gaps and resolving long-standing disagreements between the parties to the conflict.
He apprised the cabinet members that the US and Iranian senior delegations arrived in Islamabad on Pakistan’s request and held face to face talks for the first time in decades. For which, he said, he was thankful to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and US President Donald Trump who accepted his invitation and before coming to Pakistan they agreed for a ceasefire for two weeks.
“Allah (SWT) gave Pakistan this chance for mediation and peacemaking, which is an honour for entire Pakistan,” he added.
The premier cited historical accords which took even years to reach a conclusion to clarify that peacemaking can take some time.
“Pakistan’s leadership worked day and night to make Islamabad Talks happen,” he stated, paying tribute to Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and his team for tirelessly working in this regard. He also appreciated Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for his role in making this happen. “CDF Munir and his team had sleepless nights in a bid to broker the peace,” he maintained.
PM Shehbaz termed Islamabad peace talks as a historical occasion where Pakistan got a chance for mediation at a time when economy of the entire world was facing shock waves due to the regional tensions.
He also shared that European leaders and Japanese prime minister recently contacted him and appreciated Pakistan for its role in bringing the two parties on negotiating table.
US Vice President JD Vance and Speaker of the Iranian Parliament (Islamic Consultative Assembly) Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf both also thanked and lauded Pakistan for playing a sincere role, he added.
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