Trust key to end war, Pezeshkian to Shehbaz

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has told Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif that trust is needed to facilitate talks and mediation on the conflict in the Middle East, the Prime Minister's Office said on Saturday. It said Pezeshkian praised Pakistan's diplomatic efforts and that the two leaders had discussed hostilities in the region and efforts to end the conflict during a call that lasted over an hour. PM Shehbaz briefed Pezeshkian on Pakistan's diplomatic contacts with the United States and Gulf states, it said. The call came as Islamabad has stepped up its diplomatic efforts to de-escalate rising tensions in the Middle East and position itself as a key mediator. According to a statement posted on X by the Government of Pakistan, the two leaders discussed the evolving regional situation in detail, with a particular focus on ongoing hostilities and prospects for peace. PM Shehbaz strongly condemned "the continued Israeli attacks on Iran, including recent strikes on civilian infrastructure", reaffirming Pakistan's solidarity and support for the Iranian people during what he described as a "challenging time". The premier also conveyed condolences over the reported loss of more than 1,900 lives and prayed for the recovery of the injured and displaced. The prime minister briefed the Iranian president on Pakistan's ongoing diplomatic outreach. The efforts, he said, are aimed at creating a conducive environment for dialogue and eventual peace talks. He also highlighted what Islamabad sees as growing international endorsement of its peace initiative, expressing hope that collective efforts could help chart a viable path toward ending the conflict. President Pezeshkian, while appreciating Pakistan's diplomatic role, shared Tehran's perspective on the hostilities and underscored the importance of trust-building as a prerequisite for meaningful negotiations. He praised Islamabad's efforts and its supportive stance in pursuit of regional peace. The prime minister, in response, reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to playing a constructive role in promoting stability and facilitating dialogue. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian urged regional countries not to allow "enemies to run the war" from their territories if they "want development and security". "We have said many times that Iran doesn't carry out preemptive attacks, but we will retaliate strongly if our infrastructure or economic centres are targeted," Pezeshkian wrote on X. Addressing the countries of the region, the Iranian president added: "If you want development and security, don't let our enemies run the war from your lands." In a parallel development that underscores Islamabad's increasing diplomatic activity, the Foreign Office announced that foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Egypt will visit Pakistan on March 29-30 for consultations. Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty are expected to hold in-depth discussions with the Pakistani leadership on a range of issues, including efforts to de-escalate regional tensions. The visiting dignitaries will also call on the prime minister, according to the foreign ministry. The back-to-back diplomatic engagements highlight Pakistan's emerging role at the centre of efforts aimed at reducing tensions in the Middle East, with Islamabad seeking to leverage its ties with multiple stakeholders to facilitate dialogue between rival sides. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar Saturday said the government of Iran has agreed to allow 20 more ships under the Pakistani flag to pass through the Strait of Hormuz and two ships will cross the strait daily. In a post on X, he said, "I am pleased to share a great news that the government of Iran has agreed to allow 20 more ships under the Pakistani flag to pass through the Strait of Hormuz; two ships will cross the Strait daily." "This is a welcome and constructive gesture by Iran and deserves appreciation. It is a harbinger of peace and will help usher stability in the region. This positive announcement marks a meaningful step toward peace and will strengthen our collective efforts in that direction," he added. He said, "Dialogue, diplomacy, and such confidence-building measures are the only way forward."