PM Shehbaz Hopes US-Iran Ceasefire Leads to Lasting Peace
By Sardar Burhan :
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday expressed hope that the recently announced temporary ceasefire between the United States and Iran would evolve into a permanent truce, as Pakistan considers marking a day of thanksgiving for the country’s diplomatic role in easing tensions.
According to a source in the Prime Minister’s Office, the government is reviewing a proposal to observe Youm-i-Tashakur on Friday to acknowledge international recognition of Pakistan’s mediation efforts in the conflict.
Addressing a meeting of the federal cabinet in Islamabad, Mr Sharif said the ceasefire marked a significant moment for the country and claimed that Pakistan’s diplomatic engagement had been widely appreciated by the international community.
He told cabinet members that global media outlets had been acknowledging Pakistan’s role in helping facilitate dialogue aimed at reducing tensions between Washington and Tehran. The prime minister described the development as a historic moment and said such widespread international praise for Pakistan was rare.
Members of the cabinet welcomed the premier with a standing ovation when he entered the meeting hall at the Prime Minister’s House. Ministers later took turns speaking during the session, congratulating the prime minister and the government on what they described as a diplomatic success.
Mr Sharif also expressed gratitude to several countries that supported efforts to promote dialogue and stability. He thanked China, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, Egypt and Qatar for backing diplomatic initiatives that helped move the ceasefire forward.
The prime minister further acknowledged the support of Gulf Cooperation Council states, saying their continued commitment to regional peace and stability had been vital for the diplomatic process.
He said the leadership of partner countries, including the United States, had shown patience and strategic judgment by allowing diplomacy to proceed instead of further escalation.
Mr Sharif also thanked international partners and allies who had recognised Pakistan’s efforts to promote global peace. He expressed gratitude to God for what he described as the country gaining respect and recognition among the international community.
The prime minister added that the conflict had not spread across the wider region, which he said was partly due to coordinated diplomatic engagement.
He also highlighted domestic measures taken to shield Pakistan from the economic impact of the crisis, saying the government’s strategy and a Rs129 billion fuel subsidy had helped prevent severe energy shortages and price shocks seen elsewhere in the region.
Mr Sharif thanked the chief ministers of all four provinces for supporting the federal government’s austerity measures and its diplomatic initiatives during the crisis.
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