ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday said that the US-Iran ceasefire remains in place while all efforts are underway to resolve any matters that are “slightly stalled.”
The prime minister said this while briefing the federal cabinet on the regional situation and Pakistan’s efforts for peace, according to a statement from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).
Sharif said this was the first time in 47 years delegates from the two sides had sat face-to-face, a result of Pakistan's “sincere efforts.”
The cabinet appreciated the efforts of Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Chief of Defense Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for their admirable roles during the talks.
The prime minister described the historic Islamabad talks as a source of pride for the country’s 240 million people, saying that Pakistan’s sincere, positive, and historic role has elevated its global stature, according to APP.
He noted that there were several moments during the negotiations when talks nearly broke down but were then restored.
Lasting peace
According to an APP report, the prime minister said that the Islamabad talks provided Pakistan an opportunity to turn the ceasefire into lasting peace.
He referred to historical examples such as the Oslo, Geneva, and Good Friday agreements, noting that in many cases, including Sudan and other regions, it took months or years to establish ceasefires and peace, according to AFP.
In contrast, in Islamabad, US and Iranian delegations held direct, face-to-face talks for 21 hours, which the PM said he personally witnessed, said APP.
