Pakistan to host Iran-US talks as PM Sharif engages Iranian president

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a telephone conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Wednesday, discussing regional developments and efforts to ease tensions between Iran and the United States.

According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office Media Wing, the call lasted more than 45 minutes and was described as cordial and constructive.

Sharif appreciated what the statement called the Iranian leadership’s willingness to pursue a ceasefire amid heightened regional tensions. He also thanked Pezeshkian for accepting Pakistan’s offer to host negotiations between Iran and the United States in Islamabad later this week.

The prime minister conveyed respect for Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, and reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for diplomatic initiatives aimed at promoting peace and stability, the statement said.

Pezeshkian expressed gratitude for Pakistan’s role in facilitating what he described as a temporary ceasefire between Iran and the United States. He acknowledged Islamabad’s diplomatic outreach and efforts to bring both sides to the negotiating table.

The Iranian president also extended his best wishes to the people of Pakistan and confirmed Iran’s participation in talks scheduled in Islamabad.

Both leaders agreed to remain in close contact and continue consultations to advance diplomatic engagement and pursue a peaceful resolution, the statement said.

Ceasefire announcement and mediation efforts

Earlier Wednesday, Sharif welcomed what he described as an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire between the United States and Iran. He expressed hope that planned talks in Islamabad would yield further progress.

The development followed remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump, who said he had agreed to suspend a planned large-scale military strike on Iran for two weeks after mediation efforts involving Pakistan.

In a social media post shortly before a stated deadline, Trump said he would halt attacks for two weeks and indicated support for a ceasefire arrangement. He said the pause was contingent on Tehran ensuring the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global energy supplies.

Iran said it would guarantee safe maritime passage through the strait for the same period, describing the pause as an opportunity to renew negotiations with Washington.

“For a period of two weeks, safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz will be possible via coordination with Iran’s Armed Forces and with due consideration of technical limitations,” Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a post on X.

In a separate statement, Sharif described the ceasefire as a “sagacious gesture,” praising both sides for opting for restraint and dialogue. He said the move marked a step toward de-escalation and reflected a shared commitment to regional stability.

Islamabad talks scheduled for Friday

Sharif said Pakistan would host delegations from both countries on April 10 for what he called the “Islamabad Talks,” aimed at building on the ceasefire and working toward a broader and lasting resolution.

The talks are expected to focus on confidence-building measures, consolidation of the ceasefire and a possible roadmap for a more durable agreement.

The recent escalation between Iran and the United States had raised concerns about wider regional instability and potential disruptions to energy supplies. Pakistan, which maintains relations with both Tehran and Washington, has positioned itself as a facilitator of dialogue.

Sharif said both sides had shown “remarkable wisdom and understanding” by remaining constructively engaged and voiced optimism that the upcoming discussions would help advance sustainable peace.

He added that Pakistan looked forward to further positive developments as diplomatic efforts continued.

Shehbaz thanks stakeholders

Later, Prime Minister Shehbaz took to X to express gratitude to all stakeholders who contributed to securing the ceasefire and paving the way for the “Islamabad Talks.”

“As we proceed to ‘Islamabad Talks’, I wish to extend our deepest and sincere gratitude to our brotherly countries – the People’s Republic of China, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Republic of Türkiye, the Arab Republic of Egypt and the State of Qatar – for extending invaluable and all-out support toward reaching the ceasefire and giving peaceful diplomatic efforts a chance to seek a comprehensive and conclusive end to the conflict.

“I would also like to deeply appreciate and thank our brotherly countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council, whose consistent support and commitment to peace and stability in the region remain quintessential to our efforts.

“The leadership of all our brotherly countries and the United States of America demonstrated exceptional strategic foresight, sagacity and patience in giving peace a chance.

“I also thank all our partners and friends across the globe who have reached out and acknowledged Pakistan’s sincere efforts for global peace.

“Let us all work together to forge a lasting peace in the region and beyond!” he wrote.