- Prime Minister Shehbaz briefs Zardari on progress in peace negotiations.
- Zardari urges continued engagement with global powers.
- PM, DPM and CDF praised for diplomatic coordination efforts.
In a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, President Asif Ali Zardari praised Pakistan’s tireless efforts in making the diplomatic initiative of hosting peace talks between Iran and the United States a great 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 truce, delegations from Washington and Tehran arrived in Islamabad at his invitation and held more than 20 hours of negotiations over the weekend.
However, despite prolonged talks and intense diplomatic engagement, the discussions ended without reaching a final agreement.
The conflict, which began on February 28 following coordinated attacks between the United States and Israel against Iran’s leadership and infrastructure, has led to more than 2,000 deaths and widespread regional instability. Tehran responded with retaliatory operations, including disrupting shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and attacking Israeli and US targets in the region.
The international community has widely welcomed Pakistan’s diplomatic role, supporting its efforts to reduce tensions in the Middle East and facilitate negotiations aimed at achieving lasting peace.
At today’s meeting at Aiwan-e-Sadr, President Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz reviewed the prevailing diplomatic and security situation in the region, pointing out 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 dialogue between the United States and Iran, the progress achieved through Pakistan’s mediation and his upcoming visits to Saudi Arabia and Turkiye aimed at further advancing peace efforts.
President Zardari praised Prime Minister Shehbaz, Deputy Prime Minister and External Affairs Minister Senator Ishaq Dar, Chief of Defense Forces (CDF) and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and all state institutions for their sustained diplomatic efforts in facilitating peace negotiations, terming the initiative as a notable success in advancing regional stability.
He noted that seamless coordination between all stakeholders was essential to facilitate this high-level engagement.
The President highlighted the historic role Pakistan has played in promoting global peace and regional stability.
He commented that by providing a platform for such critical dialogue, Pakistan has reaffirmed its position as a responsible and pivotal State in the international community and has once again demonstrated its peacemaking credentials to the world.
President Zardari said Prime Minister Shehbaz and Defense Minister 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 PM’s Political Affairs Advisor Senator Rana Sanaullah, while the President was attended by former Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Parliamentary Leader in Senate Sherry Rehman and former Senate President Nayyar Bukhari.
