Pakistani PM briefs Iranian president on push for peace talks

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday briefed Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Islamabad's ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at creating a conducive environment for peace talks amid escalating regional hostilities, said a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office.

During a telephone conversation lasting over an hour, the two leaders held extensive discussions on the evolving situation in the Middle East and ongoing efforts to restore peace, the statement said.

Sharif informed the Iranian president about Pakistan's diplomatic outreach to engage the United States, Gulf countries and other Islamic nations to facilitate dialogue.

According to the statement, Sharif highlighted the "strong endorsement for Pakistan's peace initiative" and expressed hope that collective efforts could help identify a viable path toward ending hostilities.

The prime minister also reiterated Pakistan's strong condemnation of continued Israeli attacks on Iran, including recent strikes on civilian infrastructure, and offered condolences on the loss of lives.

Pezeshkian, while appreciating Pakistan's diplomatic efforts, shared Iran's perspective on the ongoing hostilities and underscored the importance of building trust to facilitate talks and mediation, said the statement.