Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defense Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Asim Munir on Thursday reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to facilitate and provide all-out support to the U.S. and Iran for a peacefully negotiated settlement.
In a statement, the Prime Minister’s Office said the Army chief and premier met in Islamabad and reviewed the country’s ongoing mediation efforts to achieve sustainable regional peace. It said both officials had expressed satisfaction with de-escalation efforts, stressing the need to maintain peace and a ceasefire by all parties.
According to the statement, Sharif lauded the commitment of all parties involved in the process and wished them success in their pursuit of peace. “He [Sharif] also renewed his invitation to the arriving delegations and assured them of the highest consideration and support by Pakistan,” it said.
Pakistan is set to host delegations from both Iran and the United States in Islamabad this weekend in a bid to achieve a permanent suspension of hostilities in support of a temporary ceasefire announced earlier this week.
According to the White House, the U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance would lead his country’s delegation. Meanwhile, Iran’s delegation would include foreign minister Abbas Araghchi and parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.
The talks are set to commence on Saturday and Islamabad has been placed on high alert to ensure they proceed without any untoward incident.