PM condoles over 1,900 Iranian deaths as Pakistan pushes more stakeholders on path to peace talks
A combination photo of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian. PHOTOS: FILE
ISLAMABAD:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held an hour-long telephone conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Saturday as Islamabad stepped up its diplomatic efforts to defuse rising tensions in the Middle East and position itself as a key mediator.
Phone call between the Prime Minister and the President of Iran
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif held a telephone conversation with His Excellency Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, earlier today.
During their detailed conversation…
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) March 28, 2026
According to a statement issued on the X by the Government of Pakistan, the two leaders discussed the evolving regional situation in detail with a particular focus on ongoing hostilities and prospects for peace.
Shehbaz strongly condemned “the continued Israeli attacks on Iran, including recent attacks on civilian infrastructure,” and reaffirmed Pakistan’s solidarity and support for the Iranian people in what he described as a “challenging time.”
Shehbaz also condoled the reported loss of more than 1,900 lives and prayed for the return of the injured and displaced.
Read: Why is Pakistan involved in efforts to stop the war in Iran?
The prime minister briefed the Iranian president on Pakistan’s ongoing diplomatic outreach, which includes engagements with the United States as well as “brotherly” Gulf and Islamic countries. The effort, he said, is aimed at creating a favorable environment for dialogue and eventual peace negotiations.
He also highlighted what Islamabad sees as growing international support for its peace initiative and expressed hope that a collective effort could help carve out a viable path towards ending the conflict.
President Pezeshkian, while appreciating Pakistan’s diplomatic role, shared Tehran’s perspective on the hostilities and stressed the importance of building trust as a prerequisite for meaningful negotiations. He praised Islamabad’s efforts and its supportive attitude in the pursuit of regional peace.
In response, the Prime Minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to play a constructive role in promoting stability and facilitating dialogue.
Read more: Pakistan offers to host Iran-US talks
In a parallel development that underscores Islamabad’s increasing diplomatic activity, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt will visit Pakistan on March 29-30 for consultations.
Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty are expected to hold in-depth discussions with Pakistani leadership on a range of issues, including efforts to de-escalate regional tensions.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the visiting dignitaries will also call on the Prime Minister.
The back-to-back diplomatic engagements highlight Pakistan’s new role at the center of efforts to reduce tensions in the Middle East, where Islamabad seeks to leverage its multi-stakeholder ties to facilitate dialogue between rival sides.
