Leaders unite in praising Pakistan's peace role

ISLAMABAD:

Political leaders across the aisle have welcomed the talks, describing them as an honour and emphasising the need for dialogue. PTI, in a post on X, expressed hope for the success of the ongoing US-Iran talks in Islamabad.

The party said it offers "sincere prayers for the success" of the negotiations and hopes the deliberations will produce "constructive and mutually beneficial outcomes."

PTI said the talks should help "advance the collective interests of the Muslim Ummah", while also reinforcing Pakistan's strategic interests and promoting "peace, stability, and prosperity" in the wider region.

Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, also in a post on X, said Pakistan is "honoured to host the Islamabad Peace Talks" and to facilitate efforts to bring "the warring sides from the battlefield to the negotiating table."

He said, "Our effort has been guided by a simple conviction: that mistrust must yield to dialogue, restraint must prevail over escalation, and wisdom must triumph over the impulse for war."

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz described recent developments as a "proud moment for Pakistan," saying the country has emerged in a leading role on the global stage in a post on X.

The chief minister praised the country's leadership for restoring Pakistan's stature internationally. "Today is a proud moment for Pakistan. Few could have imagined our nation taking a leading role on the global stage, yet here we stand," Maryam said.

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi also said the arrival of US and Iranian delegations in Islamabad marks a "defining moment in Pakistan's history."

In a post on X, he said, "Today is not just another day; it is a defining moment in Pakistan's history," adding that Islamabad is hosting "one of the most significant diplomatic negotiations of our time between Washington and Tehran."

The governor added that Pakistan "stands tall at the heart of global diplomacy," helping guide the region and the world away from conflict and towards lasting peace.