Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated on Tuesday that Pakistan stood “prepared and honored” to host “significant and conclusive talks” between the US and Iran.
“Pakistan welcomes and absolutely helps ongoing efforts to pursue dialogue to finish the warfare within the Center East, within the curiosity of peace and stability within the area and past,” he stated in a submit on the social media platform X.
“Topic to concurrence by the US and Iran, Pakistan stands prepared and honored to be the host to facilitate significant and conclusive talks for a complete settlement of the continued battle,” he stated.
PM Shehbaz’s assertion got here shortly after the Overseas Workplace (FO) urged the media to chorus from hypothesis and await official bulletins when requested about stories of Islamabad being a attainable venue for talks between the US and Iranian representatives amid the continued Center East battle.
“Pakistan, in step with its longstanding coverage, stays dedicated to the decision of the continued battle within the Center East/Persian Gulf via diplomatic means and engagements,” FO spokesperson Tahir Andrabi stated in response to queries concerning the stories.
“Diplomacy and negotiations typically require that sure issues be superior with discretion. The media is subsequently inspired to chorus from hypothesis and to await official bulletins relating to selections and outcomes,” he stated.
A day earlier, Andrabi stated in response to a question by Daybreak“If the events need, Islamabad is at all times prepared to host talks.” He recalled that Pakistan had persistently advocated for dialogue and diplomacy to advertise peace and stability within the area.
The developments come as a number of worldwide media shops, together with Reuters and Axiossteered that Islamabad might function a venue for potential direct talks between US and Iranian representatives within the coming days.
The continuing battle within the Center East, which has entered its fourth week, started with the US and Israel launching assaults on Iran on February 28. The strikes additionally resulted within the Assassination of then-supreme chief Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
On Monday, Pakistan took heart stage in a coordinated diplomatic push alongside Turkey and Egypt for de-escalation, because the trio appeared instrumental in securing a five-day pause of US plans to strike Iranian power and energy infrastructure, officers stated, describing the hassle as going past routine disaster administration.
US President Donald Trump publicly introduced the pause on strikes on Monday, claiming Washington had held “excellent and productive conversations” with Tehran over the previous few days that might result in a “full and complete decision” of hostilities.
The pause, nevertheless, stays conditional and restricted to strikes on Iranian energy crops and main power property, with preventing persevering with throughout a number of fronts.
Reporting by the Financial Times and Axios steered that senior officers from the three international locations individually engaged with US Particular Envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Overseas Minister Abbas Araghchi, relaying positions between the 2 sides.
The exchanges had been oblique, with no direct contact reported between Washington and Tehran.
The scope of the again channel discussions went past a right away pause. Officers stated the exchanges centered on de-escalation, reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and the parameters of a broader finish to the warfare.
On Monday, Iranian Overseas Ministry Spokesman Esmail Baghaei, whereas confirming that messages had been conveyed in current days via a number of “pleasant international locations”, stated the Iranian response was centered on its “principled positions”.
Iran additionally denied any direct or oblique negotiation with the Trump administration or Witkoff, framing the US announcement as an try and affect markets.
Tehran has maintained that any decision should embrace ensures in opposition to future US or Israeli assaults, reparations for injury, recognition of its rights, a complete regional association, and a framework for navigation via the Strait of Hormuz.
Regardless of the Iranian denials about negotiations, US officers keep that the oblique messaging helped create the circumstances for the pause.
In the meantime, a supply in Pakistan stated Daybreak that “via energetic again channel diplomacy involving Steve Witkoff and Abbas Araghchi, these three nations (Pakistan, Turkey and Egypt) are displaying that quiet communication is commonly probably the most direct path to world peace”.
PM Shehbaz additionally held a telephone name with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Monday, with the PM’s Workplace (PMO) saying the previous conveyed concern over the “harmful ongoing hostilities” and pressured “the pressing must work collectively for de-escalation and a return to dialogue and diplomacy”.
“He pressured upon the essential significance of unity within the ranks of the ummah, that was required greater than ever earlier than,” the PMO assertion stated, including that Pakistan would “proceed to play a constructive position in facilitating peace within the area”.
The decision, which was publicly introduced as an Eid and Nowruz greeting trade, got here as engagement with regional and worldwide interlocutors moved into excessive gear.
