Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday mentioned the continuing hostilities within the Center East in cellphone calls with leaders from Malaysia, Azerbaijan, Egypt, Bangladesh and Uzbekistan, with all calling for de-escalation within the area.
The continuing battle, launched by the US and Israel in opposition to Iran, has expanded throughout the Center East with Tehran concentrating on US bases and property in different nations within the area, together with Azerbaijan, and Tel Aviv concentrating on Hezbollah in Lebanon.
The Prime Minister’s Workplace (PMO) mentioned on the social media platform X that the premier held a phone dialog with Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev “to trade greetings on the auspicious event of Eidul Fitr”.
“The 2 leaders additionally mentioned the continuing hostilities in Iran and the Gulf area,” the assertion mentioned.
The prime minister reiterated [his] sturdy condemnation of the assaults in opposition to Azerbaijan and expressed full solidarity and assist with the brotherly folks of Azerbaijan in these difficult instances.”
It added that each leaders known as for an instantaneous de-escalation, urging “dialogue and diplomacy” to resolve excellent points.
Moreover, PM Shehbaz conveyed “heartfelt” Eidul Fitr needs to Aliyev and the folks of Azerbaijan. The emotions have been “warmly reciprocated” by Aliyev for the folks of Pakistan, in keeping with the assertion.
Through the name, in addition they expressed satisfaction with the optimistic trajectory of Pakistan-Azerbaijan relations and reaffirmed their mutual resolve and dedication to additional strengthen bilateral ties, the PMO added.
In a separate put up on X, PM Shehbaz reiterated the identical.
“I reiterated my sturdy condemnation of the assaults in opposition to Azerbaijan and reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering solidarity with our Azerbaijani brothers and sisters,” he mentioned.
“We agreed on the pressing want for de-escalation and determination of tensions by means of dialogue and diplomacy, whereas reaffirming our shared dedication to additional strengthening Pakistan-Azerbaijan brotherly ties,” he added.
Two weeks in the past, PM Shehbaz had additionally taken to X to precise “severe concern” over the assaults on Azerbaijan.
Telephone name with Malaysian PM
In the meantime, the premier additionally held a cellphone name with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
“Whereas praying for peace and concord of the Ummah, the 2 leaders known as for de-escalation of the continuing hostilities in Iran and the Gulf area and agreed to proceed to work collectively for advancing peace efforts on this regard,” an announcement by the PMO mentioned.
“Each leaders expressed satisfaction on the optimistic momentum in bilateral ties and reaffirmed their shared resolve to additional strengthen Pakistan-Malaysia fraternal relations,” it added.
PM Shehbaz additionally felicitated the Malaysian premier, authorities and other people on the event of Eidul Fitr.
In a put up on X, the premier reiterated that the 2 mentioned the “evolving scenario in Iran and the Gulf area, and agreed on the pressing want for de-escalation and continued joint efforts to advertise peace by means of dialogue and diplomacy”.
“We additionally expressed satisfaction on the optimistic momentum in Pakistan-Malaysia relations and reaffirmed our shared dedication to additional strengthening our fraternal ties,” he mentioned.
The premier had beforehand briefed Ibrahim on “recent developments regarding Afghanistan” in a call on March 5. The pair had also expressed “deep concern” at the situation in the Middle East.
Call with Uzbek president
In their phone call, PM Shehbaz and Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev “exchanged views on the ongoing hostilities in Iran and the Gulf region and stressed upon the need for an immediate de-escalation and use of dialogue and diplomacy for resolution of all disputes”, said the PMO.
The premier exchanged Eid greetings with Mirziyoyev in their “most cordial conversation”, the statement said.
“The prime minister conveyed his heartfelt wishes to the president, and the brotherly people of Uzbekistan on this blessed occasion of Eid, which the Uzbek leader warmly reciprocated,” it read.
The two leaders expressed satisfaction on the highly successful outcomes of the Uzbek president visit to Pakistan last month”, the PMO stated.
PM Shehbaz noted that “regular follow-up on the key decisions taken by both leaders would ensure further strengthening of the bilateral ties”.
In a post on X about the phone call, the premier said, “I expressed satisfaction at the highly successful outcomes of his recent visit to Pakistan and underlined the importance of continued follow-up to further strengthen our bilateral partnership.”
“We also discussed the situation in Iran and the Gulf region, and agreed on the urgent need for de-escalation and resolution of all disputes through dialogue and diplomacy,” he said.
Phone call with Egyptian president
About the PM’s phone call with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, the PMO said in a statement on X that the premier conveyed Eidul Fitr greetings to el-Sisi and the “brotherly people of Egypt”.
“President el-Sisi reciprocated the sentiments for the prime minister and the people of Pakistan,” the statement added.
It further stated that PM Shehbaz reaffirmed the strong and brotherly relations between Pakistan and Egypt and reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthening bilateral cooperation with Egypt across all areas of mutual interest.
He also appreciated Egypt’s constructive diplomatic role in regional and international issues, particularly its significant contribution to peace efforts in the Middle East, the statement said.
“Both leaders exchanged views on the evolving situation in Iran and the Gulf region, and, while expressing their serious concerns over the ongoing hostilities, they agreed to continue diplomatic efforts for de-escalation and for the restoration of peace and normalcy,” it read.
Phone call with Bangladesh PM
On his own account, PM Shehbaz posted that he had held a phone call with Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rehman “to convey warm Eidul Fitr greetings to him and the people of Bangladesh”.
“We fondly recalled the historic, fraternal and familial bonds between our two countries. I reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthening our bilateral cooperation across all spheres,” he said.
The PM added: “We also exchanged views on regional developments and the situation in the Middle East, and agreed on the importance of dialogue and diplomacy for peace and stability.”
A day earlier, the premier had also held phone calls with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Jordan’s King Abdullah II, with the situation in the Middle East coming under discussion.
