ISLAMABAD/BEIJING: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday said rigorous efforts were under way to resolve pending issues between Iran and the United States for lasting peace in the region while ceasefire, which was achieved with successful mediation of Pakistan, was still holding and intact.
The PM said it was the first time in the last 47 years that the leadership of both the US and Iran came into direct engagement as a result of strenuous and sincere diplomatic efforts by Pakistan after brokering ceasefire between two sides.
“As I am talking to you, Pakistan remains fully involved and engaged while making all-out efforts to resolve pending issues and between the United States and Iran,” the PM told the cabinet meeting.
The federal cabinet also adopted a resolution paying tribute to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Har and Field Marshal Asim Munir on historic peace talks in Islamabad.
The cabinet noted that they made untiring efforts along with their teams with sincerity and wisdom in making two rivals sit on the negotiating table, breaking a pause spanning over around half a century.
The federal cabinet particularly praised the DPM and the Field Marshal for taking care of all matters with their sleepless nights’ hard work. “No doubt that the international community will always remember Pakistan’s this historic role. We pray these sincere efforts of country’s leadership meet success and result in the world peace,” the resolution said.
PM Shehbaz expressed gratitude to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and US President Donald Trump for agreeing to a ceasefire and sending high-level delegations to Pakistan for talks.
Both delegations remained engaged for 21 hours, which was unprecedented in recent history. “I am witness to the fact that the two sides remained engaged directly not indirectly for 21 hours in talks and Pakistan acted as a mediator which itself is historic,” he said.
The PM further said both sides appreciated Pakistan’s sincerity, hospitality, and mediation in hosting the Islamabad Talks, adding that with the blessings of Allah Almighty, the talks provided an important opportunity to promote global peace. “Both US Vice President JD Vance and Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf separately praised efforts of Pakistani leadership,” he said.
The PM also lauded Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar as well as Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, along with their teams, for their tireless efforts in securing the ceasefire and bringing both parties to the negotiating table in Islamabad.
The PM particularly mentioned wisdom and strategy of Field Marshal Asim Munir with which the ceasefire was brokered. “I want to congratulate him on my behalf and pay tribute on behalf of the nation,” he said adding that the role of the Field Marshal would be remember in the history in golden words.
He said he was witness to such moments when the situation was about to break apart but by the grace of Almighty Allah that all efforts proved fruitful. “I cannot reveal secrets but I am witness that the Field Marshal and his team had sleepless nights in making efforts for ceasefire and then averting it from breaking apart,” he said.
Shehbaz said the international community and world leader leadership are praising mediation efforts of Pakistan while referring to his telephonic conservations with leaders of European countries. “I also received a call from the Japanese Prime Minister who also appreciated our efforts,” he said.
Meanwhile, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi Monday described the current ceasefire between the US and Iran as “very fragile”, urging the international community to unequivocally oppose any actions that could derail the truce or reignite confrontation.
The remarks came during a telephone conversation with Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, according to official statements, issued by Beijing and Islamabad, separately.
Stressing the urgency of the situation, Wang underscored that the immediate priority must be to prevent a resumption of hostilities and to preserve what he termed the “hard-won momentum” of the ceasefire.
Reaffirming Beijing’s support for diplomatic solutions, Wang Yi expressed China’s willingness to play a constructive role in facilitating peace while also encouraging Pakistan to expand its engagement in conflict resolution efforts. He noted that China would welcome a more proactive role by Islamabad in sustaining dialogue between Washington and Tehran.
The high-level exchange reflects intensifying diplomatic coordination following the recently concluded Islamabad Talks, which brought the United States and Iran into direct engagement — a development widely seen as a breakthrough in easing long-standing tensions.
According to Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the two foreign ministers held detailed discussions on both the Islamabad Talks and the broader trajectory of US–Iran negotiations. Wang Yi lauded Pakistan’s “dedicated efforts” in promoting regional peace and stability, reiterating China’s consistent support for Islamabad’s constructive diplomatic initiatives.
In response, Ishaq Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s steadfast commitment to dialogue and diplomacy, stressing that peaceful engagement remains the only sustainable pathway to restoring stability in the region. Both sides also reviewed progress on the Pakistan-China five-point peace initiative, a framework aimed at facilitating negotiated settlements and reducing geopolitical tensions.
The two leaders agreed to maintain close coordination as the situation evolves, signaling a shared resolve to prevent any deterioration in the fragile ceasefire.
Separately, Ishaq Dar received Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong in Islamabad, where discussions focused on post-talk developments and future diplomatic coordination. The ambassador commended Pakistan’s pivotal role in facilitating direct engagement between the United States and Iran, reinforcing the strength of the Pakistan–China “all-weather strategic cooperative partnership.”
Pakistan’s diplomatic outreach extended beyond Beijing, as Ishaq Dar also held a telephone conversation with UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper. The two leaders exchanged views on the Islamabad Talks and the broader regional environment.
Yvette Cooper appreciated Pakistan’s constructive contribution to promoting peace and stability, while Ishaq Dar reiterated the importance of full adherence to the ceasefire by all parties. He stressed that dialogue and diplomacy remain indispensable tools for addressing complex regional challenges and ensuring durable peace.
The flurry of diplomatic engagements underscores Pakistan’s emerging role as a key interlocutor in one of the most sensitive geopolitical flashpoints. As global powers converge on the need to sustain the fragile ceasefire, Islamabad’s mediation efforts — backed by Beijing and acknowledged by London — appear to be gaining increasing international recognition.
With tensions still simmering and the ceasefire hanging in a delicate balance, the coming days are expected to test the resilience of diplomatic gains achieved so far, placing renewed emphasis on coordinated international efforts to avert another escalation in the region.
Separately, Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif said the situation appears to be improving following the peace talks, and in his assessment, there is still a possibility of another round of negotiations.
Speaking to the media outside Parliament House, he stated that no negative developments emerged after the talks, and that the overall outlook remains positive. Khawaja Asif reiterated that the environment in Islamabad has improved after the peace talks, adding that there is still a chance for further negotiations, with growing confidence surrounding the possibility of renewed dialogue.
He further expressed hope that, God willing, a conclusion will be reached by the next meeting. He added that God has been particularly kind to Pakistan, while there is an atmosphere of mourning in India.
