Islamabad,(Parliament Times):Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday described Pakistan’s role in securing a temporary ceasefire between the United States and Iran as a “shining moment” in the country’s history, saying the diplomatic breakthrough had earned Pakistan global recognition.
Earlier in the day, the premier announced that the United States and Iran, along with their allies, had agreed to an immediate two-week ceasefire “everywhere, including Lebanon”, bringing an end to more than a month of intense hostilities. He also invited delegations from both countries to Islamabad on April 10 to hold talks aimed at reaching a permanent settlement.
US President Donald Trump endorsed the temporary truce shortly before his self-imposed deadline for Tehran to reopen the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. In a message posted on Truth Social, he termed the agreement “a big day for world peace” and expressed support for efforts to stabilise the region and ensure safe passage through the key waterway.
Addressing a meeting of the federal cabinet, Prime Minister Shehbaz said the recognition Pakistan was receiving across the world was unprecedented. He noted that from Tokyo to London and from Casablanca to Kuala Lumpur, Pakistan’s role in defusing tensions was being widely acknowledged.
The prime minister said the honour belonged to the entire nation, adding that Pakistan’s 240 million people were the rightful recipients of the recognition earned through collective efforts to help calm the conflict affecting Muslim countries and the wider region.
He expressed hope that the flames of war, which had subsided during the ceasefire period, would be extinguished permanently through sincere diplomacy and cooperation between political and military leadership.
The premier revealed that Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and the Foreign Office team had worked tirelessly for over a month to facilitate dialogue, while Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir maintained continuous contacts with both American and Iranian leadership.
Prime Minister Shehbaz also thanked Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian for responding positively to Pakistan’s appeal and expressed appreciation to President Donald Trump for agreeing to a two-week pause in hostilities.
He further acknowledged the support of several countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Turkey, Indonesia, Egypt, Azerbaijan and the United Arab Emirates, as well as Pakistan’s “iron-clad friend”, China, for backing Islamabad’s diplomatic initiative.
The prime minister also recalled his recent conversation with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, during which he conveyed Pakistan’s solidarity following attacks on key Saudi installations.
Highlighting coordination within the government, Shehbaz said he had rarely witnessed such unity between political and military leadership in his four decades of public service. He praised General Asim Munir for working closely with the civilian leadership to advance Pakistan’s peace efforts.
He emphasised that while the ceasefire was an important first step, the ultimate objective remained lasting peace and stability in the region. According to the premier, delegations from both the United States and Iran were expected to visit Islamabad for further negotiations aimed at reaching a comprehensive settlement.
The federal cabinet welcomed the development and decided to observe a day of gratitude, urging the nation to offer prayers for the success of the upcoming talks.
Prime Minister Shehbaz concluded that Pakistan’s stature on the global stage had been strengthened and expressed confidence that the next round of negotiations would move the region closer to lasting peace and prosperity.