- Battle started with US-Israel strikes on Iran, widening throughout area.
- Pakistan first brokered 2-week ceasefire after six-week escalation.
- Hope expressed for ‘complete peace deal’ in second spherical of talks.
Pakistan welcomes the extension of the Iran ceasefire, expressing hopes that ongoing diplomatic efforts in Islamabad will result in a broader peace settlement, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif mentioned in a put up on X.
The PM mentioned the transfer got here after a request from Islamabad and thanked US President Donald Trump for agreeing to increase the ceasefire to permit negotiations to proceed.
“On my private behalf and on behalf of Subject Marshal Syed Asim Munir, I sincerely thank President Trump for graciously accepting our request to increase the ceasefire to permit ongoing diplomatic efforts to take their course,” he mentioned.
He added that Pakistan would proceed efforts to assist a negotiated settlement of the battle, expressing confidence within the course of.
“With the belief and confidence reposed in, Pakistan shall proceed its earnest efforts for negotiated settlement of battle,” Sharif mentioned.
The prime minister mentioned he hoped each side would observe the ceasefire and transfer in the direction of a “complete peace deal” through the second spherical of talks in Islamabad.
“I sincerely hope that each side will proceed to watch the ceasefire and have the ability to conclude a complete ‘peace deal’ through the second spherical of talks scheduled in Islamabad for a everlasting finish to the battle,” he added.
US President Donald Trump prolonged the Iran ceasefire hours earlier than it was as a consequence of expire, saying the transfer was made at Pakistan’s request to permit diplomatic efforts to proceed and to offer Tehran time to arrange a unified proposal.
In a put up on social media, Trump mentioned the ceasefire, which started two weeks in the past, would stay in place till Iran submits its proposal and discussions are concluded.
He mentioned US forces would stay on standby whereas sustaining stress, together with a naval blockade of Iran’s ports, which Tehran has described as an act of battle.
The extension comes as Islamabad prepares to host a second spherical of talks between the 2 sides, with Washington confirming a delegation led by Vice President JD Vance will quickly journey to Pakistan. Tehran has mentioned it has but to resolve on participation.
In response to Axios, the US delegation may embrace Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and Particular Envoy to the Center East Steve Witkoff. On the similar time, Iranian state media has denied studies that any delegation has departed for Pakistan.
The primary spherical of talks, lasting round 21 hours, failed to provide an settlement as the 2 sides remained divided over Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programmes, the Strait of Hormuz, and US sanctions.
The battle started on February 28 when the US and Israel launched a joint bombing marketing campaign in opposition to Iran, escalating into wider hostilities throughout the area, together with Iranian strikes within the Strait of Hormuz and assaults on US and Israeli positions.
The ceasefire was first brokered on April 8 following mediation by Pakistan, which additionally invited each side to Islamabad for negotiations.
Nevertheless, US President Donald Trump earlier advised Bloomberg the truce would expire on Wednesday night Washington time, and in a separate interview with CNBC, mentioned he was reluctant to increase it, arguing the US remained in a powerful negotiating place.
US, Iran urged to offer ‘dialogue, diplomacy an opportunity’
Earlier, Pakistan urged the warring sides to increase their two-week ceasefire, emphasising the necessity for dialogue and diplomacy.
Deputy Prime Minister and International Minister Ishaq Dar made the decision throughout a gathering with US Cost d’Affaires Natalie A Baker, based on an announcement issued by the International Workplace.
In the course of the assembly, DPM Dar underscored Pakistan’s constant emphasis on dialogue and diplomacy as the one viable means to handle ongoing challenges and obtain lasting regional peace and stability, the FO mentioned.
DPM Dar harassed the “want for engagement” between Washington and Tehran, urging each side to contemplate extending the ceasefire.
Baker conveyed Washington’s appreciation for Pakistan’s constructive and optimistic position in selling regional peace and facilitating dialogue.
Individually, Data Minister Attaullah Tarar mentioned that Pakistan was in fixed contact with Iran and pursuing the trail of diplomacy and dialogue.
“Formal response from the Iranian facet about affirmation of delegation to attend Islamabad Peace Talks remains to be awaited,” he wrote in a put up on X.
Tarar famous that the ceasefire between the 2 sides is ready to finish at 4:50am (Pakistan Time) on Wednesday (April 22), saying {that a} determination from Iran to attend the talks earlier than the top of the ceasefire was important.
Pakistan made “honest efforts to persuade the Iranian management” to take part within the second spherical of talks, he mentioned, vowing that Islamabad would proceed its efforts to carry Iran again to the desk.
