ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has been recognised for its constructive diplomatic engagement in supporting de-escalation, ceasefire efforts, and the broader pursuit of stability between the United States and Iran. Through sustained interaction with both Washington and Tehran, Islamabad has sought to encourage dialogue, facilitate the exchange of messages, and help create conditions and space conducive to meaningful negotiations.
This approach underscores Pakistan’s consistent commitment to regional stability and international peace, reflecting our preference for principled, dialogue-oriented diplomacy in addressing complex geopolitical challenges and managing complex disputes.
In this context, under the leadership of Prime Minister Mohammad Shahbaz Sharif, with the active involvement of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, as well as Chief of Defence Staff and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Pakistan has maintained open channels of communication with the concerned parties as part of its facilitative role.
As part of these ongoing efforts, the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister are undertaking visits to key regional countries, while the Chief of Defence Staff and Chief of Army Staff arrived in Tehran yesterday. Collectively, these initiatives reflect Pakistan’s longstanding position that sustainable peace is best advanced through dialogue and cooperation, an approach that has been acknowledged in diplomatic circles for its constructive and stabilising contribution.
The Prime Minister’s visit to three countries has strong bilateral content that I will mention later.
Before embarking on his ongoing visit, the Prime Minister undertook intense diplomatic exchanges with his counterparts across the globe.
Federal Chancellor of Austria, H.E. Christian Stocker, held a most warm telephone conversation with Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on April 09, 2026. The Prime Minister appreciated the Austrian Chancellor’s strong message of endorsement and support for Pakistan’s peace efforts that have led to the U.S.-Iran ceasefire, as well as ensuring the resumption of negotiations between the two sides. Both leaders stressed the importance of ensuring that the ceasefire is upheld, strengthening the prospects of successful negotiations.
The same day, the Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif received a telephone call from His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar on April 09, 2026. His Highness congratulated the Prime Minister on Pakistan’s successful diplomatic efforts that have led to the Iran-U.S. ceasefire and negotiations. The two leaders expressed the hope that, through concerted efforts, peace would return soon to the entire region.
The same day, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif received a telephone call from His Excellency Friedrich Merz, Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany. The German Chancellor expressed strong endorsement for Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts that resulted in the ceasefire and the start of negotiations. Both leaders also expressed serious concern over the ongoing hostilities in Lebanon, and hoped that peace would return to the entire region
On the same day, 9 April, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif received a telephone call from the Prime Minister of Italy, Her Excellency Giorgia Meloni, on April 09, 2026. She appreciated Pakistan’s successful diplomatic efforts and felicitated our Prime Minister for hosting the peace talks. They also discussed Lebanon and agreed on the need for coordinated international efforts to prevent further attacks against the country.
On 10 April, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif received a telephone call from Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, His Excellency Keir Starmer.
Prime Minister Starmer deeply appreciated Pakistan’s effective diplomatic efforts and felicitated Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on hosting the peace negotiations in Islamabad, offering his best wishes for the success of this endeavour.
On 13 April, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif received a telephone call from H.E. Ms Sanae Takaichi, Prime Minister of Japan. Appreciating Pakistan’s diplomatic role in facilitating the ceasefire and talks, she expressed Japan’s full support for the peace process and its importance for regional stability and global energy security.
The same day, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif received a telephone call from Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on April 13, 2026. He congratulated Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Pakistan’s peace efforts, which offered complete endorsement from Canada for Pakistan’s role towards de-escalation and regional peace and stability.
Islamabad Peace Talks
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The US and Iranian delegations, headed respectively by Vice President H.E. J.D. Vance and Honourable Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, Mr Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, were in Pakistan on 11-12 April for Peace Talks.
Before embarking on Peace Talks, the two delegations called on Prime Minister Mohammad Shahbaz Sharif separately. We issued brief readouts of those meetings
The talks continued for 21 hours – that is the duration of actual negotiations. Overall, the process continued for about 30 hours if we count movement of delegations and momentary breaks for meals and coffee. As such, the entire negotiation process was intensive and extensive, both in terms of scope and timelines.
The Deputy Prime Minister & Foreign Minister, along with the Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff, helped mediate several rounds of intense and constructive negotiations.
In his remarks at the conclusion of these talks, the DPM expressed hope that the two sides continue with the positive spirit to achieve durable peace and prosperity for the entire region and beyond. The parties must continue to uphold their commitment to the ceasefire.
The DPM reiterated that Pakistan has been and will continue to play its role to facilitate engagement and dialogue between the two countries in the days to come.
