Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed his appreciation to Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for the “endorsement” of Pakistan-led mediation efforts aimed at resolving the tensions in the Middle East.

In a phone call with the Malaysian PM, PM Shehbaz “briefed the Malaysian prime minister on the latest diplomatic efforts, including his discussions with leaders of brotherly Gulf countries and Iran, to bring the US and Iran to the negotiating table,” according to a statement by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

On the other hand, the Malaysian PM apprised PM Shehbaz of his “own conversations with various world leaders, wherein he had also emphasised the immediate need to end the Middle East war.

“He offered Malaysia’s full support to Pakistan’s peace efforts,” the statement added.

PM Shehbaz “thanked the Malaysian PM and assured him that Pakistan would continue its sincere and genuine efforts in de-escalating the prevailing situation in the region,” the statement read.