US-Iran deal a historic step towards peace: Pak PM

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Monday that while the signing ceremony of an agreement reached between the US and Iran — aimed at ending a war that began three months ago — would be held in Geneva, it would be hosted by Pakistan.

“The [signing] ceremony of this historic agreement will be held on Friday, June 19, in Geneva, and by the grace of God, it will be hosted by Pakistan,” he said while addressing a National Assembly session after he announced the agreement past midnight on Monday.

Under the agreement, the US and Iran have agreed on a framework to end the war, halt the US blockade of Iran and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

The war began in late February, with the US and Israel launching strikes on Iran. Throughout the conflict, Pakistan has remained actively involved in mediating for peace and also hosted the first round of talks between the two sides in Islamabad in April.

The historic direct US-Iran talks had ended without an agreement, but also without a breakdown.
This was after Pakistan brokered a ceasefire between the two sides, which has remained fragile but in place. Days later, PM Shehbaz announced on X that the two sides had reached a “peace deal” after intensive talks.

“Both sides have declared the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon,” he said.

Addressing the NA today, PM Shehbaz said that today, the world had achieved a “historic milestone” of peace.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called the US-Iran deal a “historic step towards peace” Monday following weeks of his government mediating between the warring sides.

The premier said that a new dawn had emerged as “after three months and 16 days of tireless efforts, the US and Iran announced an immediate and permanent end to military action, including in Lebanon”.

Mentioning that the agreement’s signing ceremony would be held in Geneva, he said Pakistan would be “hosting” the ceremony and congratulated the people of Pakistan, the international community and the members of the House.

He further thanked PML-N Supremo Nawaz Sharif, whose guidance he said was always available to him. The premier also thanked President Asif Ali Zardari and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and other party heads.

“This is not an agreement between two countries, but it is the success of peace and dialogue — a diplomatic success,” the PM remarked, commending the top leadership of the US and Iran.

He said that throughout the negotiation process, the leadership from both the US and Iran displayed “patience and sense under difficult circumstances”.

“As a result, the entire world has come to witness this great day,” he remarked.

He paid tribute to Qatar’s emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, for his “positive role” in the peace process, as well as the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Turkiye’s President Tayyip Erdogan for their “leadership and cooperation”.

PM Shehbaz also expressed gratitude to Chinese President Xi Jinping for his cooperation.
“I am also thankful to other countries of the world, including the UK, EU member states and other friendly countries, on this historic moment,” he said.

He said that nations have sought for decades the “respect and honour” which has been awarded to Pakistan for its efforts in the peace process.

He reiterated that a “historic milestone” had been achieved with the agreement and Pakistan’s name will be written in “golden letters” in history for its efforts.

The prime minister also lauded “great son of the soil” Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, who the premier said had “sacrificed day and night to extinguish the flames of war and worked towards restoration of peace”.

“Throughout this period, he was awake day and night,” the PM said.
He recalled that during the negotiation process, “there were many moments where it felt like the negotiations would come to a halt”. However, he said, CDF Munir did not give up and continued his efforts, as a result of which, the agreement’s announcement was made.

“If this journey had not continued, the dream of peace would have been shattered,” he said, reiterating his appreciation for CDF Munir, who he said played an “unprecedented role”.

The premier also thanked Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, whose efforts, he said, also ensured the success of the peace process.

PM Shehbaz alA)so commended Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who “played a very important role and engaged with Iranian brothers”, as well as officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif also addressed the NA and lauded the prime minister and CDF Munir for their contributions to the US-Iran agreement.

“There is no doubt we are passing through historic times,” Asif said. “The leadership of Pakistan — PM Shehbaz, CDF Munir and his team — resolved the sensitive matter with wisdom and patience.”

He said that Pakistan would have achieved “many milestones if such cooperation had existed between Rawalpindi and Islamabad in the last 75 years as well”.

Asif also congratulated the Iranian leadership “for leading the Iranian nation in such difficult circumstances”.

He remarked that if the Muslims exhibited similar unity, “the day is not far when the Palestinian cause can be resolved as well, and the Muslims of Gaza can get justice”.

He thanked the US leadership for taking a step towards peace in the region.
“They recognised the injustices being done to Iran for decades, and they have identified those injustices in the agreement,” he said.

Concluding his remarks, the defence minister appealed to Gulf states to unite for “in this moment of unity and peace” and stand with Muslims in Gaza and Lebanon.

PTI leader Sardar Latif Khosa also spoke during the NA session and thanked Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan Reza Amiri Moghadam, who was present at the session, for Iran’s “steadfast” stance throughout the war.

He also expressed caution that there remained a gap “between the lip and the cup” till Friday’s signing, stating, “we never know that this is going to mature, but we hope, and we expect that it will”.