Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that Pakistan “chose to act swiftly” after the start of the Middle East war to bring both the US and Iran to the table.

“Unfortunately, in February this year, conflict engulfed the Gulf, along with the wider Middle East .Precious lives were lost, economies suffered, critical maritime routes, particularly the Strait of Hormuz came under severe pressure,” he says, addressing the UN General Assembly.

“At this critical moment, Pakistan chose to act swiftly. Through concerted efforts, Pakistan brought Washington and Tehran under one roof in Islamabad. From the Islamabad Talks, to the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, many historic steps were taken to bring an end to this serious conflict,” he adds.

The premier expresses appreciation for Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir’s “relentless efforts [which] helped create space for diplomacy under exceptionally difficult and challenging circumstances”, as well as Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.