TODAY’S PAPER | April 09, 2026 | EPAPER

PM Shehbaz thanks world leaders for appreciating Pakistan's role in US-Iran ceasefire

PM Shehbaz thanks Macron for supporting Pakistan's diplomatic efforts


Web Desk April 09, 2026 5 min read
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Photo: File

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday thanked world leaders for acknowledging and praising Pakistan’s role in helping broker the US‑Iran ceasefire, highlighting the country’s growing diplomatic influence on the global stage.

French President Emmanuel Macron and Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa appreciated Pakistan’s mediation efforts that led to a two-week ceasefire during a telephone call with PM Shehbaz.

According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) on X, the premier received a telephone call from Macron.

During the conversation, the French president congratulated the prime minister on Pakistan’s mediation efforts that resulted in the ceasefire and helped bring both sides to the negotiating table.

"Macron also conveyed his good wishes for the success of the upcoming peace talks in Islamabad," the statement said.

It added that PM Shehbaz thanked Macron for supporting Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts while reaffirming that Pakistan would continue to strive for peace and stability in the region.

"Both leaders expressed serious concern over the ongoing aggression in Lebanon and stressed the urgent need to end the violence and killings to restore peace in the region. They agreed to remain in contact," the statement read.

PM Shehbaz also held a telephone call with Bahrain's King Hamad.

"King Hamad conveyed his deep appreciation to the prime minister for Pakistan’s success in bringing about a ceasefire between Iran and the US that has created the prospects for lasting peace in the region," the PMO statement said.

According to the statement, the premier appreciated the exemplary restraint demonstrated by the Bahraini leadership in the wake of attacks over the past six weeks.

It added that the prime minister also offered condolences over the loss of lives in Bahrain during the recent hostilities and prayed for the swift recovery of the injured.

"Both leaders agreed to continue working together for regional peace and stability," the statement said.

Earlier, PM Shehbaz thanked his Australian counterpart, Anthony Albanese, for endorsing Pakistan’s sincere efforts for peace.

In a post on his X account, the prime minister said Pakistan would continue to work tirelessly with its friends and partners in the shared pursuit of lasting peace in the region.

PM Shehbaz expressed gratitude to UK counterpart Keir Starmer for supporting Pakistan's sincere peace efforts.

'We are committed to collaborating with our friends and partners, including the United Kingdom, to achieve lasting peace in the region and beyond,' said PM Shehbaz in a post on X."

The prime minister also thanked German Chancellor Friedrich Merz for acknowledging Pakistan’s sincere efforts for peace, stating that Pakistan would continue to work closely with its friends and partners to advance dialogue and achieve a durable and lasting resolution.

PM Shehbaz expressed his gratitude to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in a statement on X for endorsing Pakistan's sincere efforts towards peace.

 

PM Shehbaz, in a statement thanking the President of Kazakhstan, Qasym-Jomart Toqayev, said, "I deeply appreciate your kind words of endorsement and support for Pakistan’s sincere efforts for peace. Pakistan will continue to work tirelessly alongside its friends and partners, including Kazakhstan, in our common quest to secure lasting peace in the region."

Pakistan is hosting talks between the United States and Iran in Islamabad, with US Vice President JD Vance and other negotiators set to arrive for talks beginning on Saturday. Iran’s delegation is expected to be led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

Earlier on Wednesday, the prime minister announced that Iran and the US, along with their allies, had agreed to an immediate ceasefire “everywhere, including Lebanon”, effective immediately. 

Pakistan has emerged as a key mediator in the region. Last month, the US and Israel launched airstrikes on Iran, which prompted Tehran to retaliate with attacks on Israel and US military bases in the Gulf. This escalation of tensions in the Middle East led to efforts by political and military leadership in Pakistan to de-escalate the situation.

To ease tensions, Pakistan had also hosted a quadrilateral foreign ministers' meeting in Islamabad, with representatives from Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt. The meeting grabbed the world's attention and was widely appreciated for Pakistan's efforts.

Pakistan and China also jointly proposed a five-point initiative aimed at restoring peace and stability in the Gulf and the broader Middle East.

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