Pakistan's political leadership on Monday welcomed a breakthrough agreement between the U.S. and Iran aimed at ending more than three months of conflict, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif describing it as a major diplomatic success and a victory for peace.
Addressing the National Assembly, Sharif said the agreement marked a "historic milestone" after months of mediation efforts involving Pakistan and several regional partners.
"This is not an agreement between two countries, but it is the success of peace and dialogue — a diplomatic success," he told lawmakers.
The prime minister announced that the formal signing ceremony would take place in Geneva on 19 June and said Pakistan would host the event.
Under the framework agreement, Washington and Tehran have agreed to end military operations, reopen the Strait of Hormuz and continue negotiations on outstanding issues.
Pakistan played an active role throughout the crisis, hosting the first round of direct U.S.-Iran talks in Islamabad in April and maintaining contact with both sides as negotiations continued.
Sharif thanked the leadership of the U.S. and Iran for remaining committed to dialogue despite difficult circumstances. He also acknowledged the support of Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, China and other international partners involved in the peace effort.
The prime minister said Pakistan's role in the process had earned international recognition and would be remembered as a contribution to global peace.
Sharif credited Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir with helping sustain negotiations during difficult periods when talks risked collapsing.
He also praised Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Foreign Ministry officials for their role in supporting the peace process.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif described the agreement as a historic achievement, saying Pakistan's leadership had helped resolve a highly sensitive international crisis through "wisdom and patience".
"There is no doubt we are passing through historic times," Asif told parliament, while congratulating Iran's leadership and urging greater unity across the Muslim world.
Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said the understanding demonstrated the power of sustained diplomacy and would help restore confidence in global markets and developing economies affected by regional instability.
President Asif Ali Zardari welcomed the agreement as an important step towards durable peace and stronger multilateral cooperation.
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari called the deal "an important first step towards reducing tensions and advancing peace through dialogue", while praising the efforts of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Field Marshal Asim Munir and the diplomatic teams involved in the negotiations.
The agreement has drawn international attention to Pakistan's mediatory role, with world leaders and the United Nations welcoming the breakthrough as a significant step towards restoring stability in the Middle East.
A family of six, including four children, has been killed after an Israeli airstrike hit their home in Gaza City, underscoring the continuing violence...
Iran's Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) said it had struck U.S.-linked military sites in Kuwait and Bahrain, claiming damage to air defences and radar sys...
Lebanese soldiers have begun patrolling the southern town of Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh after Israeli forces withdrew from the area, in the first major test ...
Afghan transit trade through Pakistan fell to 11,592 containers worth $367 million in fiscal year 2025-26 as Kabul redirected more commerce through Iran and Central Asia, while Pakistan tightened restrictions at key border crossings, according to Dawn.
Pakistan's Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb arrived in Washington on Saturday for a three-day visit as Islamabad resumes negotiations with the U.S. on a broader trade agreement aimed at expanding market access, investment and economic cooperation.
At least 10 people were killed and several others reported missing after flash floods struck Rajouri city in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday, according to local media.
Disruptions to shipping through the Gulf are creating an unexpected opportunity for Pakistan, as conflict around the Strait of Hormuz prompts vessels to divert cargo to Karachi, reshaping regional maritime trade.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 20th July, covering the latest developments you need to know.
At least six people were killed and 21 others injured after two earthquakes struck Peru's central Junín region, destroying dozens of homes and triggering a major emergency response.
Kylian Mbappé has become the first player to win the FIFA World Cup Golden Boot on more than one occasion. The French forward won the award presented to the top goalscorer of the tournament for the second time, despite France being knocked out in the semi-finals.
The United States launched fresh strikes against Iran after two U.S. service members were killed in Jordan. U.S. President Donald Trump paid tribute to the fallen troops as Iran warned of further escalation.
Overnight U.S. strikes caused blackouts in southwestern Iran and hit the northwestern city of Tabriz for the first time. Separately, a U.S. soldier died in northern Iraq during a controlled detonation of an unexploded Iranian drone.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier have discussed regional developments, transport connectivity, energy cooperation and the Azerbaijan-Armenia peace process during talks in Berlin.
Southeast Asian foreign ministers called for restraint on Tuesday as renewed conflict in the Middle East overshadowed regional talks in Manila, warning that escalating violence could derail diplomatic efforts and threaten global stability.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has completed its latest review of Ukraine's financing programme, clearing the way for the immediate release of around $690 million in additional support. The latest disbursement brings total funding under the programme to about $2.2 billion.
Japan said on Tuesday it had lodged a diplomatic protest with China after Chinese naval vessels conducted live-fire drills in waters Tokyo considers part of its exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
Defence companies are accelerating efforts to develop a new generation of high-speed interceptor drones as Russia increasingly deploys jet-powered versions of its Shahed attack drones, posing a growing challenge to Ukraine's air defences.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment