Pakistan working tirelessly to ease Middle East tensions: PM Shehbaz

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday said that Pakistan was working tirelessly to ease tensions in the Middle East, engaging in talks and diplomatic efforts at various levels as war rages on between the United States, Israel and Iran.

“The flames of war in the region have not yet been extinguished; however, as a friend to all parties, Pakistan has been working tirelessly to ease tensions, engaging in talks and diplomatic efforts at various levels,” said PM Shehbaz during his address at a meeting held to discuss the regional situation.

Pakistan has emerged as a key mediator and ramped up its efforts to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East after US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran, which prompted Tehran to launch attacks on Israel and US military bases in the Gulf.

To ease tensions, Pakistan hosted a quadrilateral foreign ministers’ meeting on Sunday in Islamabad, with representatives from Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt. The meeting grabbed the world’s attention and was widely appreciated for Pakistan’s efforts.

Today’s meeting was attended by the Chief of Defence Forces and the Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, the chief ministers of all provinces and federal cabinet members.

Expressing deep sorrow over the ongoing conflict, PM Shehbaz stated that the conflict had entered its second month, causing significant casualties.

“We mourn the loss of lives due to this ongoing conflict, and on many occasions, we have issued condolences over the deaths,” he said.

The prime minister acknowledged the tireless efforts of Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, who recently returned from China after discussions aimed at de-escalating the situation. He praised FM Dar for his active diplomatic efforts and also commended CDF Munir for playing a key role in this effort.

“Due to their great efforts, two of our ships that were stuck in the Strait of Hormuz were able to pass through. Recently, another 20 ships have successfully crossed,” he added.

PM Shehbaz also addressed the significant impact of the conflict on Pakistan’s economy, stating that, like other countries, Pakistan was also facing severe challenges, but the government remained committed to addressing these issues.

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He explained that despite Pakistan’s economic difficulties, the government had taken steps to mitigate the situation by providing substantial financial support.

“Through collective efforts, we’ve provided a blanket cover of Rs129 billion to support our economy, ensuring the most essential sectors remain functional,” he said.

PM Shehbaz further emphasised the importance of protecting vulnerable populations, calling on all sectors, including the elite, to demonstrate self-sacrifice.

“Today, it is our responsibility to ensure the safety of the poor and to protect agriculture and public transport,” he said, stressing that additional funding is essential for this purpose.

In his closing remarks, the prime minister expressed gratitude to the chief ministers of all provinces who supported the efforts during the ongoing crisis, particularly highlighting Bilawal’s contributions.

He added that Bilawal had demonstrated clear leadership during these challenging times, supporting the government in tackling the crisis.

A day earlier, UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s Director General Political Ed Llewellyn also commended Pakistan’s efforts to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East and reaffirmed commitment to promoting peace in the region during his visit to Islamabad.

Pakistan and China on Tuesday jointly proposed a five-point initiative aimed at restoring peace and stability in the Gulf and the broader Middle East.

According to the joint statement, both sides stressed the need for an immediate cessation of hostilities, urging all parties to prevent the conflict from spreading and to ensure unhindered humanitarian access to war-affected areas.

They also called for the early resumption of peace talks, underlining that dialogue and diplomacy remain the only viable paths to resolving disputes. The statement emphasised the importance of safeguarding the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and security of Iran and the Gulf states, while urging all parties to refrain from the use or threat of force during negotiations.

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Highlighting concerns over civilian safety, the two countries underscored the need to protect non-military targets. They called on all parties to strictly adhere to international humanitarian law and halt attacks on civilians and critical infrastructure, including energy facilities, desalination plants, and peaceful nuclear installations.

They also voiced concern over disruptions to global trade, stressing the need to ensure the security of shipping lanes, particularly in the Strait of Hormuz. They called for the safe passage of commercial vessels and the restoration of normal maritime traffic at the earliest opportunity.