Ceasefire between US, Iran still intact: PM Shehbaz

Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said the ceasefire between the United States and Iran is still intact, and vigorous efforts are underway to remove bottlenecks in order to secure lasting peace in the region.

He was chairing a meeting of the Federal Cabinet in Islamabad today.

The Prime Minister said it was the first time in the last 47 years that the leadership of both the United States and Iran came into direct engagement as a result of strenuous and sincere diplomatic efforts by Pakistan. He expressed gratitude to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and US President Donald Trump for agreeing to the ceasefire and sending high-level delegations to Pakistan for talks.

Shehbaz Sharif said the US delegation, led by Vice President JD Vance, and the Iranian delegation, headed by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, arrived in Islamabad for talks. Both delegations remained continuously engaged for 21 hours, which was unprecedented in recent history.

The Prime Minister further said both sides appreciated Pakistan's sincerity, hospitality, and mediation in hosting the Islamabad Talks. He said that, with the blessings of Allah Almighty, the talks provided an important opportunity to promote global peace.

The Prime Minister 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. 

On the occasion, the cabinet unanimously approved a resolution commending Pakistan's efforts to promote peace and stability in the region.

The resolution paid tribute to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for facilitating historic peace talks between Iran and the United States, bringing the two opposing sides to the negotiating table, and ending a nearly half-century-long deadlock.

It said Pakistan's role in facilitating peace efforts will be remembered in world history. It further prayed for the success of the sincere efforts of Pakistan's leadership in contributing to the establishment of lasting global peace