Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday said Pakistan had made utmost efforts to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East and that its efforts were still ongoing to end the US-Israel war on Iran.
Speaking during a special high-level meeting, the prime minister said Pakistan was being significantly affected by the ongoing war and was facing economic challenges as a result. He said the government was making efforts to reduce tensions and promote peace.
The more than a month-long war between the US, Israel and Iran began on February 28 and has plunged the Middle East into turmoil.
Soon after the initial US-Israel strikes on Iran, Tehran blocked the Strait of Hormuz — a key shipping route — and launched retaliatory attacks on Israel and US bases across the region.
Pakistan has been acting as an intermediary between the United States and Iran and has stepped up its diplomatic push to help end the US-Israel war on Iran.
In this regard, Pakistan hosted key regional ministers — from Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and Egypt — and relayed messages between Washington and Tehran.
On Tuesday, Pakistan and China also jointly urged the US, Israel, and Iran to stop the strikes and initiate “peace talks as soon as possible”.
Addressing the meeting earlier today, the prime minister said two Pakistani vessels were stranded in the Strait of Hormuz but had safely crossed due to the efforts of Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir.
He said the deputy prime minister was working tirelessly to ease tensions in the region. “We have made every effort to cool down the flames of war in the region,” he said.
PM Shehbaz said that chief ministers had assured cooperation to tackle wartime challenges, while the federal govt had reduced the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) by Rs100 billion within three weeks. He added that parliamentarians had also ensured measures to conserve fuel.
Highlighting priorities, the prime minister said protecting the public, the agriculture sector and goods transport remained a key focus. “Controlling inflation is also among our top priorities,” he said.
He underscored that the federation and provinces must work together and utilise resources collectively to deal with the difficult situation.
