File photo: US President Donald Trump with Pakistan PM Shahbaz Sharif
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday thanked US President Donald Trump for extending the ceasefire in the ongoing conflict with Iran and expressed hope that the move will pave the way for a permanent peace deal.In a post on Twitter, Sharif said, “On my personal behalf and on behalf of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, I sincerely thank President Trump for graciously accepting our request to extend the ceasefire to allow the ongoing diplomatic efforts to do their job.”
Pakistan will continue to facilitate talks, he said, adding, “With confidence and trust, Pakistan will continue its sincere efforts for a negotiated resolution of the conflict.”
hope for success islamabad talks
Sharif also expressed hope about the next round of talks to be held in Islamabad. He said, “I sincerely hope that both sides will continue to adhere to the ceasefire and will be able to reach a comprehensive ‘peace agreement’ during the second round of talks scheduled in Islamabad for a permanent end to the conflict.”The development came as Trump confirmed the extension of the fragile ceasefire, which was nearing its deadline. The US President said the ceasefire would remain in place until Iran presented a “unified proposal” and concluded discussions.
Despite this, uncertainty remains ceasefire extension
Despite the expansion, clouds of uncertainty are looming over the talks. Iran has not formally confirmed its participation and has indicated that it will only join if talks promise meaningful results.Meanwhile, the United States has maintained its naval blockade of Iranian ports, a move Tehran has called a ceasefire violation.Global leaders have welcomed the expansion cautiously. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called it “an important step towards reducing tensions”, urging all parties to build on the opportunity for dialogue.The conflict has already taken a toll. More than 3,300 people have been killed in Iran and 2,200 in Lebanon since the war began, according to news agency AP, with casualties also reported in Israel and Gulf countries.Pakistan is playing an important mediator role, with Sharif, Army Chief Asim Munir and other senior officials actively engaged in diplomatic efforts to bring the two sides to the table, even as key issues such as the US blockade and Iran’s nuclear program remain unresolved.