He warned that the latest tensions risked undermining the fragile progress made in recent weeks.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Photo: Archive
ISLAMABAD:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday urged restraint and renewed diplomatic engagement in separate telephone conversations with Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian and Qatar’s Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, as Islamabad took steps to prevent a new regional escalation from undoing a hard-won peace process that helped mediate between Tehran and Washington.
According to statements issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, Shehbaz warned that the latest tensions risk undermining the fragile progress made in recent weeks and stressed that all parties must honor commitments made under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the framework negotiated with Pakistan and Qatari mediation to end months of conflict.
“I spoke today with my brother, President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian of Iran,” the Prime Minister wrote in X after the conversation. “We discussed the evolving regional situation and underlined the imperative of moderation, dialogue and diplomacy to safeguard the hard-won peace gains of recent months.”
“I reaffirmed Pakistan’s readiness to continue playing its role as an honest and sincere mediator for lasting regional peace,” he added.
The communication came amid growing concerns in Islamabad that renewed military tensions in the Gulf could jeopardize the implementation of the Islamabad MoU, signed after months of negotiations aimed at ending hostilities and creating a roadmap for broader normalization.
During his conversation with Pezeshkian, Shehbaz expressed his “deep concern” over the recent escalation and emphasized the “urgent need to restore regional peace and stability,” according to the Prime Minister’s Office.
He called on Iran and “all other parties” to exercise restraint and avoid actions that could jeopardize peace gains made in recent months. Shehbaz also described the Islamabad MoU as an enduring framework to promote mutual understanding, respect and shared prosperity, while reaffirming Pakistan’s willingness to continue facilitating dialogue.
The Iranian president welcomed Pakistan’s efforts and thanked Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and other Pakistani officials for attending the funeral of Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei. Pezeshkian also reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to peace and appreciated Islamabad’s role in promoting regional stability, according to the Pakistani statement.
The two leaders reviewed the progress of decisions taken during Pezeshkian’s visit to Islamabad last month and agreed to accelerate the implementation of bilateral initiatives.
In a separate call with the Emir of Qatar, Shehbaz conveyed Pakistan’s solidarity following the recent attacks on Qatar and thanked Doha for its “constant and steadfast support” to the diplomatic efforts that culminated in the Islamabad MoU and the first round of high-level technical talks held in Burgenstock, Switzerland.
The two leaders agreed that sustained diplomacy and the fulfillment of commitments made under the peace memorandum remained essential to preserve regional stability.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the Qatari Emir thanked Sharif, Foreign Minister Dar and Field Marshal Munir for what he described as Pakistan’s leading role in advancing peace efforts and pledged Qatar’s continued support to the diplomatic process.
Pakistan has positioned itself as a key intermediary in efforts to prevent a broader regional conflict, leveraging its close ties with both Tehran and the Arab Gulf states while maintaining its commitment to Washington.
Officials in Islamabad have repeatedly warned that any renewed confrontation could not only destabilize the Middle East but also threaten global energy supplies and regional security.
Friday’s calls underscored Islamabad’s determination to preserve the diplomatic momentum generated by Islamabad’s MoU, even as fresh tensions test the deal’s durability.
