Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif has stated that Pakistan is actively working to facilitate a second round of direct talks between the United States (US) and Iran in Islamabad.
Speaking to The Sunday Times, the premier expressed optimism regarding the resumption of the diplomatic process. “Peace is never won easily,” Sharif noted during the interview.
He emphasized that navigating complex diplomatic situations requires “patience, sagacity and ability to move things despite the most difficult challenges”.
He confirmed that back-channel and diplomatic efforts are underway to lock in the next session. “As we speak, we’re still doing our best to ensure that this peace effort achieves a long-lasting peace through another session here in Islamabad and we are hopeful that it will happen,” he said, adding that the country is putting forth its best efforts toward this objective.
The push for a second round follows an initial session of direct negotiations hosted by Pakistan in Islamabad on April 11 and 12, which took place after a two-week ceasefire agreement was reached on April 8.
The historic initial talks brought high-level delegations together for direct communication to defuse regional hostility, serving as a critical breakthrough for Pakistani diplomacy.
According to the PM, Pakistan’s role in the mediation has positioned it as a trusted neutral party on the global stage.
He asserted that the country is “acknowledged worldwide as an honest mediator and as a country in which international leadership has full trust and faith”.
Reflecting on the mediation role, Sharif described the current diplomatic standing as a “shining hour” for the nation, expressing pride on behalf of the 240 million citizens of Pakistan.
Sharif attributed the country’s elevated diplomatic status to internal alignment, noting that Pakistan’s international perception has evolved due to a “partnership of our political and military hierarchy”.
He further noted that Islamabad’s neutral positioning has allowed it to maintain the necessary confidence required from all sides involved in the regional friction. “Fortunately, Iran trusts Pakistan as does the US administration and also the Gulf states,” Sharif stated.
