Shafaqna Pakistan: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday warmly welcomed the ceasefire agreement between Iran and the United States, inviting both parties to Islamabad for further talks on April 10.
Sharif stated that the agreement, which also involves their allies, covers “Lebanon and elsewhere” and is effective immediately.
“I warmly welcome this sagacious gesture, extend my deepest gratitude to the leadership of both countries, and invite their delegations to Islamabad on Friday, April 10, 2026, to negotiate a conclusive agreement to resolve all disputes,” he wrote in a social media post.
He praised both sides for demonstrating “remarkable wisdom and understanding” and for remaining constructively engaged in promoting peace and stability during this high-stakes mediation.
“We earnestly hope the ‘Islamabad Talks’ succeed in achieving sustainable peace and look forward to sharing more positive developments in the coming days,” Sharif added.
Following the ceasefire, the Iranian Supreme National Security Council, in a statement, also announced that their armed forces would cease the “defensive operations” if attacks against Iran were halted. Besides, for a period of two weeks, safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz would be possible via coordination with Iran’s armed forces and with due consideration of technical limitations.
The Council also announced that the negotiations would be held in Islamabad to finalize the details.
“The negotiations will begin on Friday in Islamabad. Iran will allocate two weeks for these negotiations and the timeframe may be extended by mutual agreement of the two sides.”
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi also thanked PM Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for their tireless efforts seeking an end to the war in the region.
US Agrees to Ceasefire
The United States has agreed to a two-week ceasefire with Iran proposed by Pakistan, President Trump said Tuesday night.
The Pakistani proposal, which came hours before Trump’s deadline to launch massive strikes if no deal was reached, involves a pause on Trump’s threat and a commitment from Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz for two weeks.
That two-week period would be used to negotiate a larger agreement to potentially end the war.
There have been discussions through mediators about potential in-person negotiations, likely to be led by Vice President Vance, though nothing has been announced.
The announcement comes less than 12 hours after Trump threatened to wipe out Iran’s entire “civilization.” More specifically, he threatened bridges, power plants and potentially oil and water infrastructure.
Negotiations between the US and Iran picked up momentum over the past 24 hours, with Pakistan serving as the primary mediator.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the leaders of Saudi Arabia and the UAE, and political allies like Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) had urged Trump to reject any proposal unless Iran made major concessions.
Members of Trump’s team, including Vance and envoy Steve Witkoff, have advised him to take a deal if they could get one.
“This will be a double sided ceasefire,” President Trump stated.
He said that the US had already met and exceeded all military objectives and was very far along with a definitive agreement concerning long-term peace with Iran and peace in the Middle East.
“We received a 10 point proposal from Iran, and believe it is a workable basis on which to negotiate. Almost all of the various points of past contention have been agreed to between the United States and Iran, but a two week period will allow the Agreement to be finalized and consummated,” the US President said.
Trump described the development as an honour on behalf of the United States of America and the countries of the Middle East, saying the long-term problem was close to resolution.
Source: Dunya News
