Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif says his country is “absolutely determined” to advance efforts to de-escalate the war between the US and Iran
"Pakistan is playing the role of a sincere and honest mediator between Iran, our neighbourly country, and the United States," Sharif told reporters on Wednesday at the UN in New York, where he is attending the 81st session of the General Assembly.
Recalling that the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, US President Donald Trump and himself, Sharif rued: "Unfortunately, events after that got a bit unpredictable."
"But Pakistan is completely focused. We have not lost hope; we [are] absolutely determined that we will further make efforts and make progress to de-escalate the situation," said the prime minister.
After the US and Israel launched a war against Iran on February 28, Pakistan helped secure a ceasefire on April 8 and later hosted more than 20 hours of talks between American and Iranian officials in Islamabad.
'Continuous process'
After weeks of mediation, Pakistan and Qatar helped secure the Islamabad MoU, signed on June 18, which gave the two warring sides a framework and 60 days to negotiate a longer-term agreement to end the war.
The two sides, however, soon resumed attacks, with tensions continuing.
Iranian and American negotiators also held indirect talks on Tuesday on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.
Asked whether further meetings were possible, Sharif said it was a "continuous process" and that "all friendly countries are contributing to achieve peace."
