ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday held a series of telephone conversations with leaders from Azerbaijan, Malaysia, Uzbekistan and Egypt, calling for urgent de-escalation and a diplomatic resolution to tensions in the Middle East.

During separate calls, the prime minister exchanged Eid-ul-Fitr greetings with Ilham Aliyev, Anwar Ibrahim and Shavkat Mirziyoyev, while discussing the evolving regional situation.

In his conversation with President Aliyev, both leaders conveyed warm Eid wishes and prayed for unity within the Muslim Ummah. They expressed concern over ongoing hostilities in Iran and the Gulf region, with the prime minister condemning attacks targeting Azerbaijan and reaffirming Pakistan’s solidarity. The two sides called for immediate de-escalation and stressed dialogue and diplomacy to resolve issues.

Separately, in talks with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, both leaders underscored the importance of peace and harmony across the Muslim world and agreed on the urgency of de-escalation in the Middle East. They also expressed satisfaction over the positive trajectory of Pakistan-Malaysia relations and pledged to further strengthen cooperation.

In his call with President Mirziyoyev, the prime minister exchanged Eid greetings and discussed regional tensions, reiterating that restraint and diplomatic engagement remain key to resolving conflicts. The two leaders also reviewed bilateral ties and expressed satisfaction over the outcomes of the Uzbek president’s recent visit to Pakistan, emphasising timely follow-up on key decisions.

The prime minister also spoke with Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, reaffirming strong bilateral ties and Pakistan’s commitment to enhancing cooperation across various sectors. He praised Egypt’s constructive diplomatic role in promoting peace in the Middle East. Both leaders expressed serious concern over ongoing hostilities in Iran and the Gulf region and agreed to continue diplomatic efforts for de-escalation.

A day earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz had also held discussions with Recep Tayyip Erdogan and King Abdullah II, focusing on the Middle East situation and the need for immediate de-escalation through dialogue.