In 45-minute phone call with Pezeshkian, PM Shehbaz reaffirms Pakistan’s commitment to advancing regional peace
In a high-stakes display of shuttle diplomacy, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian held a 45-minute telephone conversation on Sunday to solidify Pakistan’s role as the central mediator in the escalating US-Iran standoff.
The dialogue comes at a critical juncture for regional stability, following a series of historic diplomatic maneuvers in Islamabad.
The Diplomatic Context: A Second Round of Talks
The call follows a significant confirmation from US President Donald Trump that American representatives are returning to Islamabad for a second round of negotiations. This follows the initial historic session on April 11–12, which, while not yielding a final agreement, successfully prevented a total diplomatic breakdown.
Key highlights of the current situation:
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The Ceasefire: A Pakistan-brokered two-week ceasefire remains the only buffer against renewed hostilities.
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The Deadline: This truce is scheduled to expire on April 22, having successfully paused the conflict that erupted after the US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28.
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Pakistan’s Stance: PM Shehbaz reiterated that Pakistan remains “fully committed to its honest and sincere efforts” to secure a lasting peace.
Building a Regional Consensus
Prime Minister Shehbaz informed President Pezeshkian of his extensive outreach to other global power players to ensure the peace process isn’t happening in a vacuum. The PM has been in active contact with the leadership of:
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Saudi Arabia
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Qatar
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Turkiye
The goal of these interactions is to build a solid international consensus that supports sustained dialogue over military confrontation.
Military and Cabinet Coordination
The diplomatic push isn’t limited to civilian leadership. The PMO statement highlighted the “constructive conversations” held between the Iranian leadership and Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, during his recent visit to Tehran.
On the ministerial level, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also engaged with his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, earlier on Sunday. Both ministers emphasized that continued engagement is the only viable path to resolving the current regional volatility.
Looking Ahead
As the April 22 ceasefire deadline approaches, the eyes of the international community remain fixed on Islamabad. President Pezeshkian expressed his gratitude for Pakistan’s “strong commitment” to the peace process, affirming that the bilateral bond between the two neighbors continues to strengthen under the pressure of these regional challenges.
Note: PM Shehbaz also extended his respectful regards to the Iranian Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, signaling deep-rooted respect amidst the high-pressure negotiations.
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