Islamabad, Apr 8 (PTI) Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday urged all sides to exercise restraint and respect the US-Iran ceasefire, amid reports of violations of the truce across the conflict zone.
The US and Iran earlier agreed on a conditional two-week ceasefire that included the opening of the Strait of Hormuz for shipping.
“Violations of ceasefire have been reported at few places across the conflict zone which undermine the spirit of peace process,” Shehbaz said in a post on X.
“I earnestly and sincerely urge all parties to exercise restraint and respect the ceasefire for two weeks, as agreed upon, so that diplomacy can take a lead role towards peaceful settlement of the conflict,” he added.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held a phone conversation with Pakistan Army chief Asim Munir and discussed the violation of the ceasefire by Israel in Lebanon, state-run IRNA news agency reported.
The development comes as Pakistan was preparing to host the peace talks between the US and Iran on Friday in Islamabad.
“The day after tomorrow, the US and Iran delegations will meet in Pakistan, and all efforts will be made for the success of talks,” the Prime Minister said while addressing a Cabinet meeting, where he talked about Pakistan’s effort in arranging the ceasefire between the warring parties. He said that Pakistan is looking forward to permanently dousing the flames of war.
Earlier, Shehbaz held a “warm and substantive” telephone conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, who confirmed Tehran’s participation in Pakistan-facilitated peace talks in Islamabad.
It was not immediately clear who would represent Iran at the negotiations in Islamabad.
According to the PM Office, their conversation lasted for over 45 minutes.
Shehbaz thanked the leadership of Iran and the US for accepting “our request” for a ceasefire. He also thanked Gulf nations, as well as other Muslim nations and China, for supporting his peace initiative.
Giving selective details of the peace efforts, Shehbaz told the Cabinet that Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Field Marshal Munir made sustained efforts for peace.
“The field marshal spent many sleepless nights making contacts with the leader of the US and Iran,” he said.
Talking about difficulties in the process of the ceasefire, he said that conspiracies were hatched to spread the war and bring other Muslims countries into it and even change it into a sectarian conflict. “We succeeded because our efforts were based on sincerity and honesty,” he said.
He also talked about a new Pakistan, which has come a long way since a brief conflict with India last year. “Today’s Pakistan is a different country… Pakistan has changed forever, which is being seen with respect and honour,” he said, adding that every citizen of the country deserved the credit.
He also said that Pakistan has a golden opportunity to make a turnaround and make progress. PTI SH/ZH ZH ZH
This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.