ISLAMABAD, Wednesday, April 8, 2026 (WNP): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday announced a major diplomatic breakthrough, stating that the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America, along with their allies, had agreed to an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire across conflict zones, including Lebanon.
In an official statement, the Prime Minister described the development as a “sagacious gesture” and extended gratitude to the leadership of both countries for demonstrating wisdom and commitment to peace.
He invited delegations from the United States and Iran to Islamabad on April 10, 2026, for the “Islamabad Talks” aimed at reaching a conclusive and lasting agreement to resolve all outstanding disputes.
He expressed optimism that the upcoming dialogue would pave the way for sustainable peace, noting that both sides had remained constructively engaged in advancing regional stability.
Separately, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif urged Donald Trump to extend the existing deadline by two weeks to allow diplomatic efforts to gain momentum. He also called upon Iran to reopen the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz for the same period as a goodwill gesture, emphasizing the importance of facilitating global energy flows and reducing tensions.
“Diplomatic efforts for peaceful settlement of the ongoing war in the Middle East are progressing steadily, strongly and powerfully, with the potential to yield substantive results in the near future,” the Prime Minister said.
He stressed that a temporary pause in hostilities would provide the necessary space for negotiations to achieve a durable resolution.
Reiterating Pakistan’s commitment to peace, he urged all parties involved in the conflict to observe a ceasefire for at least two weeks, enabling diplomacy to play its full role in ending the war and ensuring long-term stability in the region.
The announcement comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, with Pakistan stepping up diplomatic engagement to facilitate dialogue and de-escalation among key stakeholders.
