ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday formally offered that Pakistan was ready to host and facilitate meaningful and conclusive talks between the United States and Iran for settlement of the Middle East conflict.
“Subject to concurrence by the US and Iran, Pakistan stands ready and honoured to be the host to facilitate meaningful and conclusive talks for a comprehensive settlement of the ongoing conflict,” the premier said in a post on ‘X’.
He said Pakistan welcomes and fully supports ongoing efforts to pursue dialogue to end the war in the ME, in the interest of peace and stability in the region and beyond.
US President Donald Trump, meanwhile, shared Shehbaz’s tweet on his social media platform, Truth Social. Shehbaz’s message came amid reports that Pakistan may host first-ever talks between the US and Iran in Islamabad since the ME conflict began.
The media reports further state that Pakistan has been in touch with the US and Iran for the last two days for mediation and facilitate talks between the two countries in Islamabad.
A day earlier, PM Shehbaz in a telephonic conversation with the Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian had assured him that Pakistan would continue to play a constructive role in facilitating peace in the region.
He shared with the Iranian president the diplomatic outreach efforts of Pakistan’s leadership and conveyed his serious concern over the ongoing dangerous hostilities in the Gulf region.
The prime minister underscored the urgent need to work collectively for de-escalation and a return to dialogue and diplomacy amongst all the neighbouring countries to settle their differences.
Also on Monday, the Financial Times reported that Pakistan is positioning itself as the lead mediator trying to broker an end to the US and Israeli war against Iran.
Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir spoke with US President Donald Trump on Sunday, Reuters quoted the newspaper that cited two people briefed on the call.
It also reported that senior Pakistani officials were backchannelling communications between Tehran, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
The White House also confirmed Trump’s call with Field Marshal Asim Munir.
When asked about a possible visit by Witkoff and Kushner to Islamabad, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said: “These are sensitive diplomatic discussions and the US will not negotiate through the press. This is a fluid situation, and speculation about meetings should not be deemed as final until they are formally announced by the White House.”
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar spoke with his UAE counterpart Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
They exchanged views on the evolving regional situation. DPM Dar underscored the importance of peace and stability, calling for immediate de-escalation and emphasising that dialogue and diplomacy remain the only viable path forward. He also expressed deep sorrow over the loss of precious lives, including three Pakistani nationals, and reaffirmed Pakistan’s steadfast solidarity with the UAE. Both leaders exchanged Eid greetings and agreed to remain in close contact.
Meanwhile, Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi in a statement said that Pakistan, consistent with its longstanding policy, remains committed to the resolution of ongoing conflict in the Middle East/Persian Gulf through diplomatic means and engagements.
“Diplomacy and negotiations often require that certain matters be advanced with discretion,” he said, adding that the media was encouraged to refrain from speculation and to await official announcements regarding decisions and outcomes.
Meanwhile, the Iranian Embassy in Pakistan has expressed deep skepticism over reported mediation efforts by Pakistan, Turkiye and Egypt aimed at resolving the ongoing ME conflict between the US and Iran.
“There is zero trust after two rounds of strikes during talks. With bullying and totalitarian tactics, negotiations have no chance,” the embassy said in a tweet. It also said Iran viewed the “US request for negotiations as another attempt to deceive, exploit loopholes and escalate attacks”.
Meanwhile, British High Commissioner Jane Marriott called on DPM/ FM Ishaq Dar. Both the dignitaries discussed the evolving regional situation.
The DPM/ FM underscored that diplomacy and dialogue remain the only viable path forward, emphasising the urgent need for early resolution of the conflict, the Foreign Ministry said.
