ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet on Wednesday gave a standing ovation to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in recognition of his diplomatic efforts that helped secure a ceasefire in the region. The cabinet, which met under the chairmanship of the prime minister, also decided to observe Friday (April 10) as “Thanksgiving Day” to express gratitude to Almighty Allah for the success of Pakistan’s peace efforts. It called on the nation to offer special prayers for the success of ongoing peace talks and for the country’s progress and prosperity.
Addressing the meeting, the prime minister described the two-week ceasefire as a “historic and momentous development” and expressed the hope that the proposed “Islamabad Talks” would pave the way for a permanent end to the Middle East conflict. “Today, Pakistan is a changed country that is viewed with respect across the world,” said PM Shehbaz while addressing the federal cabinet meeting.
He went on to say that the war had, for now, been delayed. “A ceasefire is the first step, but our destination is lasting peace,” he said. He thanked the leadership of the United States and Iran for responding positively to Pakistan’s diplomatic outreach, adding that the breakthrough was the result of coordinated and tireless efforts by both civil and military leadership. “All conspiracies aimed at dividing the Muslim world have been foiled,” he said, adding that Pakistan’s success had earned international recognition.
The prime minister stressed that the achievement was made possible through the blessings of Almighty Allah, collective national efforts and the support of brotherly Muslim countries. “Today is a day to thank Allah, who has made the people of Pakistan proud,” he said. “Allah Almighty has granted Pakistan a remarkable success on the diplomatic front,” he said, adding that joint efforts helped the Muslim countries play a role for peace at a time when the flames of war had engulfed the region.
Referring to recent developments, the prime minister said: “These flames have been extinguished for two weeks and, if Allah Almighty wills, they will be put out permanently.” He noted that global media — from Tokyo to London and Casablanca to Kuala Lumpur — was highlighting Pakistan’s role in promoting peace, while warning that the conflict had posed wider global risks. Shehbaz said attempts to create divisions among Muslims had failed, crediting strong coordination between political and military leadership for averting further escalation.
He also announced that delegations from the United States and Iran are expected to visit Pakistan at his invitation, expressing optimism that continued dialogue would lead to lasting peace. Praising Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, the prime minister commended his role in maintaining close coordination with international stakeholders.
The prime minister further noted that while shortages and fuel crises were reported in neighbouring countries, Pakistan maintained stability by providing subsidies worth Rs129 billion. He also shared that he had spoken with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, assuring him of Pakistan’s solidarity with Saudi Arabia.
The PM thanked President Asif Ali Zardari and Nawaz Sharif for their support and guidance, while cabinet members paid tribute to the premier, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Field Marshal Asim Munir for their intensive efforts in securing a ceasefire and promoting peace. They noted that amid a highly tense and uncertain situation, the political and military leadership worked in close coordination to help achieve the ceasefire, earning Pakistan international recognition. The PM also briefed the cabinet on Pakistan’s role in mediating a two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran and efforts toward lasting regional peace. Terming the diplomatic achievement historic, cabinet members reaffirmed their commitment to continue working for the country’s economic progress.
In a statement, PM Shehbaz Sharif said Islamabad would host delegations from the US and Iran later this week following their ceasefire announcement. “I... extend deepest gratitude to the leadership of both the countries and invite their delegations to Islamabad on Friday, 10th April 2026, to further negotiate for a conclusive agreement to settle all disputes,” he said in a post on X. “We earnestly hope, that the ‘Islamabad Talks’ succeed in achieving sustainable peace and wish to share more good news in coming days,” the prime minister said.
The prime minister said Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian confirmed Tehran’s participation in the “Islamabad talks” to finalise a settlement to their conflict. The confirmation came during a 45-minute phone call between PM Shehbaz and Pezeshkian, he wrote in a post on X. The PM said the ceasefire applied “everywhere” including Lebanon, though Israel later said it would not stop its aerial and ground operations there against Hezbollah.
PM Shehbaz, in a separate X post, said China, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, Egypt and Qatar had all provided “support towards reaching the ceasefire and giving peaceful diplomatic efforts a chance”. The prime minister also thanked Arab Gulf nations for their “commitment to peace and stability in the region”.
Meanwhile, Iranian President Dr Masoud Pezeshkian, while appreciating the efforts of Pakistani leadership to bring about a temporary ceasefire between Iran and the US, confirmed that Iran would be participating in the negotiations in Islamabad. Iranian president extended the appreciation during a telephonic conversation with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
During their warm and cordial conversation that lasted for over 45 minutes, PM Shehbaz Sharif conveyed his deep appreciation for the wisdom and sagacity of the Iranian leadership in agreeing to the ceasefire and for accepting the prime minister’s offer to host negotiations between Iran and the US in Islamabad later this week. He also conveyed his respects to Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. Both leaders agreed to remain in close contact, the PM Office media in a statement said.
Separately, PM Shehbaz Sharif said violations of the ceasefire between the US and Iran undermine the spirit of the peace process and urged all parties to exercise restraint. “I earnestly and sincerely urge all parties to exercise restraint and respect the ceasefire for two weeks, as agreed upon, so that diplomacy can take a lead role towards peaceful settlement of the conflict,” PM Shehbaz said in a post on X.
The development came after Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi raised alarm about “ceasefire violations” by Israel in a call with Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, an Iranian ministry statement said. Araghchi “discussed the Zionist regime’s violations of the ceasefire in Iran and Lebanon”, referring to Israel, in a call with Field Marshal Asim Munir, the statement said.
Meanwhile, foreign diplomats and world leaders thanked and congratulated Pakistan for its effective and diplomatic role in brokering the ceasefire between the US and Iran, saying it will help ensure regional stability. British High Commissioner to Pakistan Jane Marriott thanked Pakistan for playing the “quiet, effective and diplomatic role” to bring about the vital ceasefire in the Middle East. Australian High Commissioner Timothy Kane congratulated Pakistan on its effective diplomacy and efforts to bring peace in the region. “Australia wants to see the ceasefire upheld and a resolution to the conflict,” he said in a tweet.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz welcomed the ceasefire and thanked Pakistan for brokering the “important agreement.” In a statement, he said he hoped the ceasefire between the US and Iran will pave the way for peace talks and avert a global energy crisis. The Turkish foreign ministry welcomed the temporary ceasefire between the US and Iran and congratulated Pakistan for its role in the process, while wishing for the continuation of all initiatives contributing to peace.
The Saudi foreign ministry “commended the productive efforts undertaken by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir in reaching the ceasefire agreement.” President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen thanked Pakistan for mediation and said it was crucial that negotiations for an enduring solution to the conflict continued. “We will continue coordinating with our partners to this end.” She said she welcomed the two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran as it brought much-needed de-escalation.
President of the European Council António Costa thanked Pakistan and all other parties involved in facilitating the agreement and urged all parties to uphold its terms in order to achieve sustainable peace in the region. “The EU stands ready to support ongoing efforts and remains in close contact with its partners in the region,” he said in a statement. Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs appreciated the efforts of Pakistan, particularly of PM Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir, and all parties for mediation and the ceasefire agreement.
FO spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said in a statement on X that a joint statement by the Netherlands, Germany, France, Italy, the UK, Canada, Denmark, Spain, EU Council and EU Commission also appreciated Pakistan’s role. “We thank Pakistan and all partners involved for facilitating this important agreement. The focus now must be on urgent diplomacy to secure a lasting peace, protect civilians and safeguard regional stability. We urge full implementation by all sides and remain actively engaged to support a negotiated settlement”.
Iranian Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, expressed gratitude and appreciation for “my dear brothers PM Sharif and Field Marshal Munir, for their tireless efforts to end the war in the region. In response to the brotherly request of PM Sharif in his tweet, and considering the request by the US for negotiations based on its 15-point proposal as well as announcement by POTUS about acceptance of the general framework of Iran’s 10-point proposal as a basis for negotiations, I hereby declare on behalf of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council: If attacks against Iran are halted, our Powerful Armed Forces will cease their defensive operations.”
New Zealand Minister for Foreign Affairs, Winston Peters, also welcomed the announcements by the United States and Iran over the past few hours. “We are grateful for the work of Pakistan, and others such as Turkiye and Egypt, to seek to find a solution to the crisis,” he wrote on X.
Albanese and Wong thanked the mediators — including Pakistan, Egypt, Turkiye and Saudi Arabia —and said Australia “wants to see the ceasefire upheld and a resolution to the conflict”.
Separately, Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev welcomed the “achievement of an agreement on a full ceasefire and truce in the Middle East, reached with the mediation of Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Munir.”
“This agreement became possible due to the goodwill and wisdom of the President of the United States, Donald Trump and the senior leadership of #Iran, as well as all countries involved in the military conflict,” he added.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim also welcomed the ceasefire between the US and Iran, and called for lasting peace in the region. In a social media post, Anwar extended sincere congratulations and deep appreciation to Pakistan and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for the tireless and courageous diplomacy that helped bring this moment about.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the US-Iran two-week ceasefire on Tuesday, his spokesperson said, while urging all parties to work toward long-term peace in the Middle East. Moreover, Norway FM Espen Barth Eide also commended Pakistan, Egypt and Türkiye for the peace efforts, while welcoming the US-Iran ceasefire.
Meanwhile, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas thanked DPM Dar for securing the initial ceasefire deal between US and Iran.
Canadian High Commissioner to Pakistan Tar m Ali Khan expressed gratitude towards PM Shehbaz for “creating an important moment for a ceasefire and dialogue”.
Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Wednesday welcomed the ceasefire between the United States and Iran, calling it a timely step toward de-escalation and regional stability.
In a statement, the president said Pakistan had consistently worked in good faith to reduce tensions “when the world was perilously close to a grave disaster,” stressing that peace is vital for security, economic stability and public well-being. He expressed appreciation to the leadership in Washington and Tehran for choosing dialogue over confrontation.
Separately, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari echoed similar sentiments, praising the leadership in Islamabad, Tehran and Washington for facilitating diplomacy. He described the ceasefire as a critical opening for lasting peace and expressed the hope it would evolve into a durable solution fostering regional stability, cooperation and shared prosperity.
