Expresses confidence that the next round of talks on Friday will also be fruitful
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday hailed Pakistan’s role in securing the temporary ceasefire between the United States and Iran that halted over a month of fighting as a “shining moment” in the country’s history.
Earlier today, the prime minister announced that Iran and the US, along with their allies, had agreed to an immediate ceasefire “everywhere, including Lebanon”, effective immediately. The prime minister invited delegations from both nations to Islamabad on April 10 to negotiate a conclusive settlement.
Read more: World leaders praise Pakistan after US‑Iran ceasefire
US President Donald Trump endorsed the two-week truce shortly before a self-imposed deadline for Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Posting on Truth Social, he described it as “a big day for world peace” and signalled US support for stabilising the region, including ensuring safe passage through the strategic waterway.
“The honour bestowed upon Pakistan today by God is the most shining moment in the country’s history. From Tokyo to London, and from Casablanca to Kuala Lumpur, the manner in which Pakistan is being mentioned across television channels and institutions is unprecedented; never before has such a scene been witnessed,” PM Shehbaz said while addressing a federal cabinet meeting.
The premier said that the honour with which Pakistan was blessed was the result not only of the “collective efforts, sincerity, hard work, trustworthiness and integrity of all those present, but above all of their efforts to help cool the flames of war for their Muslim brethren and brotherly countries”.
He said that since the war began, the dignity and respect that had been bestowed upon Pakistan today were shared by the entire nation. “Pakistan’s 240 million people are the rightful recipients of this honour,” he added.
The prime minister remarked that the flames of war, which had subsided for the past two weeks, would hopefully be extinguished permanently. He attributed this to “partnership, sincerity and good intentions”, adding that the political and military leadership was and would remain united.
He further said that numerous internal and external conspiracies had been hatched to pit Muslim against another Muslim, but the moment of honour and dignity granted to Pakistan was one that “nations receive only once in centuries”.
PM Shehbaz added that, in reality, for more than a month, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, along with his entire Foreign Office team, had worked tirelessly day and night. At the same time, he said Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir remained awake for many nights, maintaining contacts with the US leadership as well as the Iranian leadership.
He thanked Iranian President Masood Pezeshkian for accepting his request, and also expressed gratitude to Trump, who, he said, had agreed to his appeal for a two-week pause, describing it as a temporary ceasefire.
While thanking the Gulf countries, the prime minister said he was grateful to all Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Turkiye, Indonesia, Egypt, Azerbaijan and the United Arab Emirates, and made special mention of Pakistan’s “iron-clad friend”, China. “I am deeply grateful to all of them for supporting Pakistan in this effort,” he said.
The premier said that he had spoken a day earlier with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman following attacks on major complexes and petrochemical industries. “I expressed my sorrow and conveyed that the entire nation of Pakistan, its leadership and government stand firmly with you. We will never disappoint you,” he said. In response, he added, the crown prince had expressed full confidence, saying that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia were like two brothers and one family.
Praising efforts across the government and provinces, he said that in his entire 40-year career he had never witnessed such coordination, such close liaison and such selfless effort between the political and military leadership.
He once again thanked CDF Munir for his contributions. “He is not only the hero of the May 2025 war, but today he has also proven that for Pakistan’s highest and noblest objectives, he worked shoulder to shoulder with the political leadership. I wish to pay tribute to him for these efforts,” PM Shehbaz said.
The prime minister said the war had, for the time being, been averted and that the ceasefire was the first step, but the ultimate goal remained lasting and durable peace, progress and prosperity. He added that, at his invitation, a US delegation would be visiting Pakistan the day after tomorrow, while an Iranian delegation was also expected to arrive. He prayed that God would facilitate successful negotiations so that the flames of war — which had threatened to engulf not only the region but the entire world — might be extinguished permanently, allowing the path towards development and prosperity to reopen.
“I believe that every challenge is an opportunity,” he said, referring to the government’s efforts to shield the common man from rising petroleum prices for three weeks despite a significant increase in the international market.
He also thanked President Asif Ali Zardari and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari for their support during the crisis, and expressed gratitude to Pakistan Muslim League (N) President Nawaz Sharif for his guidance in difficult times. He further thanked cabinet members, ministers and the chief ministers of all four provinces.
He said that Pakistan today was a transformed country — “Pakistan has changed forever, from Karachi to Peshawar” — and was now being viewed by the world with respect and dignity.
The premier chaired the important meeting of the federal cabinet, where members applauded his arrival and were served sweets during the session.
The cabinet decided to observe a day of gratitude and appealed to the nation to offer prayers for the success of the ongoing negotiations. Members also applauded CDF Munir, whose efforts were praised by the prime minister, and extended congratulations to him and FM Dar.
PM Shehbaz said Pakistan’s stature on the global stage had been enhanced and commended the constructive role of CDF Munir and FM Dar. He added that the first phase of the ceasefire had been successfully implemented and expressed confidence that the next round of talks on Friday would also be fruitful.
