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• Accepts Pezeshkian’s invitation for official visit to Tehran
• ISPR chief hails Iran’s peace efforts amid Pakistan-India escalation
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday thanked Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian for Tehran’s “sincere and brotherly” diplomatic efforts to defuse tensions in South Asia.
During a telephone conversation with Mr Pezeshkian, the prime minister also conveyed his warm regards to Supreme Leader Ayatullah Khamenei.
He particularly thanked the Iranian president for his telephone call made to him last month as well as for sending Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to the region during the crisis.
The prime minister said that Pakistan’s valiant armed forces had given a responsible, measured yet befitting and forceful reply to the enemy. He further said Pakistan had always desired peace and it was in this spirit that it had agreed to the ceasefire understanding with India and would remain committed to upholding it. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s firm resolve to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity at all costs.
However, PM Shehbaz expressed concern over India’s attempt to unilaterally hold the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance, which he deemed was unlawful and constituted a red line for Pakistan, as these waters were the lifeline for 240 million people.
The Iranian president expressed heartfelt condolences over the loss of civilian lives. He welcomed the ceasefire understanding, while appreciating Pakistan’s efforts for peace. He said Iran was committed to promoting peace and stability in the region. The two leaders also exchanged views on Pakistan-Iran bilateral relations. They agreed to enhance cooperation in all areas of shared interest, especially trade, connectivity, security and people-to-people contacts. The Iranian president extended an invitation to the prime minister to undertake an official visit to Tehran, which was graciously accepted.
Iran’s peace efforts hailed
Meanwhile, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry on Saturday praised Iran’s peace efforts in the recent Pakistan-India conflict and warned of “forces” seeking to create a rift among brotherly countries, Dawn.com reported.
Just two days after India, without any evidence, blamed Pakistan over last month’s deadly attack in occupied Kashmir’s Pahalgam, Iran had offered to mediate between the two as tensions simmered.
Gen Chaudhry told IRNA in an interview: “Pakistan is fully grateful to the international community, and we are especially grateful to brotherly countries, including the Islamic Republic of Iran.”
“We should be aware that there are forces in the region that, with the help of external factors, are seeking to create misunderstanding and confusion among brotherly countries in the region and want to create a rift between friends and brothers,” the DG ISPR added.
Lt Gen Chaudhry spoke about the latest developments in South Asia as well as the “importance of regional and international diplomacy to help de-escalate tensions”. He also “focused” on the recent visit of Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to Islamabad.
The DG ISPR appreciated Tehran’s efforts and support to help de-escalate tensions in the region.
“We are pleased with all the efforts of the international community and brotherly countries, especially Iran, which played a role in reducing tensions,” he was quoted as saying.
The Pakistani army spokesman emphasised that Iran and Pakistan “have very historical and brotherly relations and have always stood by each other in all challenges and trials”.
Lt Gen Chaudhry highlighted that the two nations were “neighbouring and friendly countries that are in contact with each other on many issues and fields”.
“Pakistan is eager and pursues that the borders of the two countries are the borders of peace and friendship, and we look forward to it,” he told IRNA.
The military’s spokesperson stressed that Tehran and Islamabad were “cooperating together for lasting peace and stability in the region”.
Published in Dawn, May 18th, 2025
