- Prime Minister Shehbaz briefs Zardari on progress in peace talks.
- Zardari calls for continued engagement with global powers.
- PM, DPM, CDF praised for diplomatic coordination efforts.
In a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, President Asif Ali Zardari praised Pakistan’s tireless efforts to make the diplomatic initiative of hosting Iran-US peace talks a grand success.
Islamabad emerged as a key mediator in the US-Iran conflict after Prime Minister Shehbaz helped secure a two-week ceasefire on April 8. After the temporary ceasefire, delegations from Washington and Tehran arrived in Islamabad at his invitation and held over 20 hours of talks over the weekend.
However, despite the extended talks and intensive diplomatic engagement, the discussions ended without reaching a final agreement.
The conflict, which began on February 28 following coordinated US-Israeli attacks targeting Iran’s leadership and infrastructure, has resulted in more than 2,000 deaths and widespread regional instability. Tehran responded with retaliatory operations, including disruption of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and attacks on Israeli and US targets in the region.
The international community has broadly welcomed Pakistan’s diplomatic role and supports its efforts to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East and facilitate negotiations aimed at achieving lasting peace.
In today’s meeting at Aiwan-e-Sadr, President Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz reviewed the prevailing security and diplomatic situation in the region and noted its far-reaching implications for global security, economic stability and geopolitical dynamics.
The Prime Minister briefed the President in detail on the stages of the US-Iran dialogue, progress achieved through Pakistan’s mediation and his upcoming visit to Saudi Arabia and Turkey to further advance peace efforts.
President Zardari commended Prime Minister Shehbaz, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar, Chief of Defense Forces (CDF) and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and all government institutions for their sustained diplomatic efforts to facilitate peace talks, calling the initiative a remarkable success in promoting regional stability.
He noted that the seamless coordination between all stakeholders was instrumental in facilitating this high-level engagement.
The President highlighted the historic role Pakistan has played in promoting global peace and regional stability.
He noted that by providing a platform for such a critical dialogue, Pakistan has reaffirmed its position as a responsible and central state in the international community and once again proved its peacemaking credentials to the world.
President Zardari said Prime Minister Shehbaz and DPM Dar should remain proactively engaged with Washington and Tehran, as well as major regional and global powers, to ensure the sustainability of the peace process and regional harmony.
The meeting was attended by DPM Dar and Prime Minister’s Political Affairs Adviser Senator Rana Sanaullah, while the President was assisted by former Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Parliamentary Leader in the Senate Sherry Rehman and former Senate Chairman Nayyar Bukhari.
