ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday urged an “immediate end to hostilities and a return to normalcy” during a phone call with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, as tensions continue to escalate in the Middle East.
According to an official statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the recent attacks on Saudi Arabia and expressed Pakistan’s full solidarity with the Kingdom and its people. He also praised Saudi leadership for showing restraint during the ongoing crisis and reaffirmed that Pakistan would stand firmly alongside Saudi Arabia, as it has in the past.
The prime minister emphasized the need for de-escalation, calling for unity within the Muslim world and urging all sides to resolve differences through dialogue and diplomacy. He also briefed the Crown Prince on Pakistan’s ongoing diplomatic efforts to engage all stakeholders and reduce tensions.
In response, Mohammed bin Salman appreciated Pakistan’s peace initiatives. Both leaders agreed to continue close coordination between their countries at all levels.
Separately, in a message posted on X, Shehbaz Sharif said he had also conveyed Eid ul Fitr greetings to King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Saudi royal family, and the people of the Kingdom. He reiterated Pakistan’s condemnation of the attacks and stressed the urgency of restoring peace and unity in the region.
The conversation comes amid rising conflict following strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran in late February, and Tehran’s subsequent retaliation targeting US bases across the Gulf, including in Saudi Arabia.
Last year, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement, under which an attack on one is considered an attack on both.
A day earlier, the prime minister had offered Pakistan as a venue for dialogue between the United States and Iran, expressing readiness to facilitate meaningful negotiations aimed at a comprehensive resolution. Former US President Donald Trump also shared the offer on his social media platform.
In recent days, Pakistan — working closely with Turkey and Egypt — has reportedly played an active role in backchannel diplomacy, helping relay messages between Washington and Tehran in an effort to prevent further escalation and maintain regional stability.