Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif briefed Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman (MBS) on March 25 about Islamabad’s diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the tense situation in West Asia, news agency PTI reported.
In a post on X, the prime minister said he spoke with the crown prince, discussed the regional situation and exchanged traditional Eid greetings
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The prime minister’s office said in a statement that Sharif spoke on the phone with Mohammed bin Salman, the crown prince and prime minister of Saudi Arabia, on Wednesday morning.
“During their warm and cordial conversation, the Prime Minister conveyed heartfelt Eid ul Fitr greetings to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, His Majesty King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and the brotherly people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. These sentiments were the kindest statement the Crown Prince returned to His Royal Highness.
Sharif also informed the Saudi Crown Prince about Pakistan’s constructive diplomatic contact with all parties and called for de-escalation and resolution of disputes through dialogue and diplomacy.
Sharif said he appreciated the Kingdom’s restraint during the call and “I emphasized the urgent need for de-escalation, an end to hostilities and unity within the ranks of the Ummah”.
Pakistan is trying to mediate an end to the US-Iran war
The call comes a day after Sharif offered to hold talks between the US and Iran on a comprehensive settlement to the ongoing conflict.
Pakistan is positioning itself as the main broker trying to broker an end to the United States and Israel’s war against Iran. Financial Times reported on Monday.
Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir spoke to her US President Donald Trump released the letter on Sunday, citing two people who were briefed on the call.
During a call with the Saudi crown prince. Sharif also reiterated Pakistan’s strong condemnation of the recent attacks on the kingdom and reaffirmed Islamabad’s unwavering solidarity and unequivocal support for Saudi Arabia in these challenging times.
In a post on Tuesday, X Sharif said Islamabad was “ready and honored” to facilitate “meaningful and convincing negotiations” between the US and Iran to end the ongoing conflict.
Hours later, US President Donald Trump shared Sharif’s post on his Truth Social platform.
The US on Tuesday sent Iran a 15-point plan and a ceasefire proposal to end the war in the Middle East, according to reports. The peace plan was shared with Iranian officials through Pakistan.
Middle East War
The conflict in the Middle East is in its fourth week, disrupting trade routes through the Strait of Hormuz. Tensions escalated after the killing of Iran’s 86-year-old supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khameneiin joint US-Israeli military strikes on February 28.
In retaliation, Iran targeted Israeli and US assets in several Gulf countries, causing further disruption to the waterway and affecting international energy markets as well as global economic stability.
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On Tuesday, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar spoke with his UAE counterpart Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and they exchanged views on the evolving regional situation, the foreign ministry said.
“The gift underscored the importance of peace and stability, called for immediate de-escalation and stressed that dialogue and diplomacy remain the only viable way forward,” it said.
Dar received the British High Commissioner at the Foreign Office, Jane Marriott, separately, and the two discussed the evolving regional situation.
I emphasized the urgent need for de-escalation, an end to hostilities and unity within the ranks of the Ummah.
The gift “underscored that diplomacy and dialogue remain the only viable way forward and underscored the urgent need for an early resolution of the conflict,” the FO said.
