Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has had a “warm and cordial conversation” with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, where he reaffirmed Islamabad’s “commitment to regional peace”, a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office says.

According to the PMO, the call lasted for 50 minutes and the premier welcomed Tehran’s decision to send a delegation led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, with whom PM Shehbaz had a two-hour meeting.

“While sharing with the Iranian President an overview of his recent diplomatic outreach to a number of world leaders, the Prime Minister emphasised that these interactions had been helpful in building broader consensus in support of sustained dialogue and diplomacy aimed at achieving lasting peace in the war-affected region,” the statement reads.

“While reassuring the Iranian president of Pakistan’s firm commitment to regional peace, the prime minister said that Pakistan would continue its sincere and honest endeavours to promote regional peace and security,” it adds.

Pezeshkian expressed gratitude to PM Shehbaz, Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar for Pakistan’s “significant contribution” to peace efforts.

“While expressing Iran’s desire for peace, he also expressed confidence that the fraternal ties between Iran and Pakistan would continue to strengthen and expand in the future,” the statement reads.