ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday said Pakistan is continuing its efforts to maintain peace in the region, highlighting the country’s diplomatic role in easing tensions and promoting stability, his office said.
Addressing the federal cabinet, the prime minister said marathon talks between Iran and the United States held in Islamabad on April 11 lasted 21 hours and marked a major diplomatic breakthrough.
He said Pakistan made sincere and coordinated efforts for the success of the negotiations, with contributions from Field Marshal Asim Munir, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, and other senior officials.
He said the efforts helped extend the ceasefire between Iran and the United States, which continues to hold. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also played an important role in the process, he added.
The prime minister informed the cabinet that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi visited Pakistan with his delegation and held multiple rounds of talks, including a two-hour meeting with the prime minister. According to PM Sharif, Araghchi assured that Iran would respond positively after consultations with its leadership.
He, however, expressed concern over rising global crude oil prices, saying new prices were expected to be determined on Friday. He described the situation as challenging but said that collective wisdom and coordinated efforts would help keep matters under control.
PM Sharif appreciated Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik and his team for maintaining stability in domestic fuel supply, saying Pakistan avoided panic at petrol pumps, unlike some other countries.
He said the country’s oil import bill had increased from $300 million before the conflict to $800 million, putting added pressure on the economy. He also noted a decline in petroleum consumption this week compared with the previous week.
The prime minister said that although macroeconomic indicators had been improving, the recent war had affected gains made over the past two years toward economic stability.
He further told the cabinet that Pakistan had repaid $3.5 billion in due loans and maintained its foreign exchange reserves with support from Saudi Arabia. He particularly acknowledged the role of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in helping Pakistan sustain its reserve levels.
