ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called for preserving the “hard-earned” peace gains achieved in the Middle East over recent months amid renewed tensions between Iran and the United States.
According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, PM Shehbaz held a telephone conversation with Iranian President Dr Masoud Pezeshkian on Friday and expressed deep concern over the latest escalation in the region.
The prime minister stressed the urgent need to restore regional peace and stability and urged Iran and all other parties to exercise restraint and avoid any action that could undermine the progress made towards peace.
“He called on Iran and all other parties to exercise restraint and refrain from any action that could jeopardise the hard-earned peace gains achieved over the past few months,” the PM Office said.
PM Shehbaz emphasised the importance of implementing commitments made under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), describing it as an enduring framework for promoting mutual understanding, respect and shared prosperity in the region.
The conversation took place a day after Iranian forces launched attacks on US military installations in Gulf countries following American strikes on Iran’s southern coastal and eastern provinces, increasing pressure on a three-week-old ceasefire agreement facilitated by Pakistan.
Iranian media later reported explosions in several southern areas, including Bushehr, home to one of Iran’s nuclear facilities, as well as Konarak, Choghadak and Bandar Abbas.
The prime minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to regional peace and said Islamabad was ready to continue playing its role in facilitating dialogue and supporting efforts aimed at maintaining stability.
President Pezeshkian thanked PM Shehbaz, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, and other Pakistani leaders for attending the funeral ceremony of late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The Iranian president appreciated Pakistan’s constructive role and sincere efforts for regional peace and reaffirmed Tehran’s commitment to stability.
During the discussion, both leaders also reviewed progress on decisions taken during President Pezeshkian’s recent visit to Islamabad and agreed to accelerate measures to strengthen bilateral cooperation in various fields.
PM Shehbaz conveyed his regards and best wishes to Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei.
The two leaders agreed to remain in close contact and continue consultations on matters of mutual interest and regional peace.
PM Shehbaz contacts Qatar’s emir
Separately, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a telephone conversation with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and expressed Pakistan’s solidarity with the people of Qatar.
In a post on X, the prime minister said he stressed the importance of restraint, dialogue and diplomacy to preserve regional peace during his conversation with the Qatari leader.
PM Shehbaz thanked the emir for Qatar’s continued support for peace efforts that led to the Islamabad MoU and reaffirmed their shared commitment to advancing peace, stability and prosperity in the region.