ISLAMABAD — Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held an hour-long telephone conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Saturday, as Pakistan intensifies its diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East.
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According to a statement posted on X by the Government of Pakistan, the two leaders discussed the ongoing hostilities in detail and explored avenues for peace. Shehbaz strongly condemned “the continued Israeli attacks on Iran, including recent strikes on civilian infrastructure,” reaffirming Pakistan’s solidarity with the Iranian people during a “challenging time.” He also conveyed condolences over the reported loss of more than 1,900 lives and prayed for the recovery of the injured and displaced.
During the call, the prime minister briefed President Pezeshkian on Pakistan’s ongoing diplomatic outreach, which includes engagements with the United States, as well as Gulf and Islamic countries, aimed at creating a conducive environment for dialogue and eventual peace talks. He highlighted growing international support for Pakistan’s peace initiative and expressed hope that collective efforts could pave the way toward ending the conflict.
President Pezeshkian appreciated Pakistan’s diplomatic role, shared Tehran’s perspective on the hostilities, and stressed the importance of trust-building as a prerequisite for meaningful negotiations. Shehbaz reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to facilitating stability and dialogue in the region.
In a parallel development, Pakistan’s Foreign Office announced that the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Egypt—Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Hakan Fidan, and Badr Abdelatty—will visit Pakistan on March 29–30 for consultations. The visiting dignitaries are expected to hold discussions with Pakistani leadership on regional de-escalation and other issues.
These back-to-back engagements underscore Pakistan’s growing role as a mediator in the Middle East, leveraging its ties with multiple stakeholders to facilitate dialogue between rival parties and promote regional stability.
