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Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Wednesday that diplomatic efforts to ease tensions in the Middle East are continuing “consistently,” as talks between the U.S. and Iran remain stalled.
Speaking at a Cabinet meeting, Sharif said negotiations between Washington and Tehran earlier this month were hosted in Islamabad and lasted 21 hours, with Pakistan playing an active behind-the-scenes role.
“Our efforts for peace continue consistently and will continue,” Sharif told government ministers.
Sharif praised the efforts of Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who he said met both sides and helped facilitate the talks.
He also said he held a detailed two-hour meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who visited Islamabad on Friday.
Araghchi later briefly returned to Islamabad on Sunday from Muscat before leaving for Moscow.
Sharif said Araghchi assured him that he would respond to Pakistan after holding discussions with Iran’s leadership.
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Sharif said the crisis is affecting the wider global economy, warning that rising oil prices are increasing pressure.
“We are facing a challenging situation,” he said.
He also said Pakistan recently repaid a $3.5 billion loan to the UAE and thanked Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for assistance in this regard.
Riyadh recently approved a new $3 billion loan and extended an existing $5 billion deposit.
The U.S. and Israel began strikes on Iran on Feb. 28, prompting Tehran to retaliate against U.S. allies in the Gulf and close the Strait of Hormuz.
A ceasefire was announced on April 8 through Pakistani mediation.
Talks followed in Islamabad on April 11, but no agreement was reached.
U.S. President Donald Trump later said the truce had been extended at Pakistan’s request while waiting for a proposal from Tehran.
Iran is said to have proposed reopening the Strait of Hormuz while leaving questions about its nuclear program for later negotiations.
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