Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif says today is a “historic moment between Pakistan and Iran”, addressing a joint press briefing with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.

The premier has begun his speech by reciting an Iranian couplet on the themes of friendship during difficult times.

Recalling the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding signed last week between the United States and Iran, the premier says it is “a matter of great happiness that this war has come to an end, which could have engulfed the entire region and beyond”.

The prime minister has hailed the “sagacious” leadership of Pezeshkian and his colleagues, and highlighted Pakistan’s role as an “honest and sincere mediator” in the US-Iran peace process.

Referring to the US-Iran technical talks held in Switzerland, he said, “My dear brother, we pray to Allah Almighty that God-willing, this arrangement will usher in a new era of peace, stability and prosperity for this entire region.”