Pakistan remains committed to serve as 'honest and sincere facilitator', says PM Shehbaz

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Saturday Pakistan would remain committed to serve as “an honest and sincere facilitator” for talks between the United States and Iran to end the Middle East crisis.

His remarks came after US President Donald Trump cancelled a trip to Islamabad by two envoys on Saturday after Iran’s foreign minister flew out of the Pakistani capital following talks, dealing a new setback to peace prospects.

“Had a warm and constructive telephone exchange this evening with my brother, President Masoud Pezeshkian, on the evolving regional situation.

“I appreciated Iran’s continued engagement, including the high-level delegation to Islamabad led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, whom I had the pleasure of meeting earlier today.

“I reaffirmed that, with the support of friends and partners, Pakistan remains committed to serve as an honest and sincere facilitator - working tirelessly to advance durable peace and lasting stability in the region,” PM Shehbaz said in a post on X.

Trump said in a social media post that he had called off the planned visit by his special envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner, citing what he said was tremendous confusion it the Iranian leadership.

“Too much time wasted on traveling, too much work! Besides which, there is tremendous infighting and confusion within their “leadership.” Nobody knows who is in charge, including them. Also, we have all the cards, they have none! If they want to talk, all they have to do is call!!!” he wrote.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi had earlier left Islamabad without signs of a breakthrough in talks with PM Shehbaz Sharif and other senior officials.