Archive photo: US President Donald Trump with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday thanked US President Donald Trump for extending the ceasefire in the ongoing Iranian conflict, expressing hope that the move would create space for a lasting peace agreement.In a post on the
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Trump retreats as Iran stands firm; US President flashes and drops major update on ceasefire based on Pak’s call
He added that Pakistan would continue to facilitate dialogue, saying: “With confidence, Pakistan will continue its earnest efforts towards a negotiated settlement of the dispute.”
Hope for a breakthrough Islamabad speaks
Sharif also expressed his optimism about the next round of negotiations expected in Islamabad. “I sincerely hope that the two sides will continue to adhere to the ceasefire and will be able to conclude a comprehensive ‘peace agreement’ during the second round of talks scheduled in Islamabad in order to bring a permanent end to the conflict,” he said.
This development comes at a time when Trump confirmed the extension of the fragile truce, whose deadline is approaching.
The US President said that the ceasefire will remain in place until Iran presents a “unified proposal” and the discussions end.
Uncertainty persists though Extending the ceasefire
Despite the extension, uncertainty remains over the talks. Iran has not officially confirmed its participation and has indicated that it will only participate if negotiations promise meaningful results.Meanwhile, the United States continued its naval blockade of Iranian ports, a move Tehran described as a violation of the ceasefire.World leaders cautiously welcomed the extension. UN Secretary-General António Guterres described this as “an important step towards stopping the escalation,” and urged all parties to take advantage of the opportunity for dialogue.The conflict has already taken a heavy toll. According to the Associated Press, more than 3,300 people have been killed in Iran and more than 2,200 people in Lebanon, along with victims in Israel and the Gulf states since the war began.Pakistan is playing a key role in the mediation, with Sharif, Army Chief Asim Munir and other senior officials actively participating in diplomatic efforts to bring the two sides to the table, even as major sticking points such as the US blockade and Iran’s nuclear program remain unresolved.
