Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif engaged in a series of important telephone discussions on Friday with the leaders of Azerbaijan, Malaysia, and Uzbekistan, focusing on the pressing need for restraint and diplomatic engagement to ease the escalating tensions in the Middle East. These conversations came amid growing concerns over regional instability and underscored Pakistan’s commitment to promoting peace and unity within the Muslim world.
During his call with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, the prime minister extended heartfelt Eid ul Fitr greetings to the people and leadership of Azerbaijan, which were warmly reciprocated. The two leaders took the opportunity to pray for solidarity within the Muslim Ummah, while expressing their deep concern over the ongoing conflicts affecting Iran and the Gulf region. In a clear show of support, PM Shehbaz condemned recent attacks targeting Azerbaijan, reaffirming Pakistan’s unwavering solidarity with the Azerbaijani nation. Both sides agreed on the critical importance of immediate de-escalation, emphasizing that dialogue and diplomacy remain the most viable paths to resolving the outstanding issues.
In a separate conversation with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, the exchange of Eid greetings set a positive tone for a discussion centered on peace and harmony across the Muslim world. Both leaders highlighted the urgent need to reduce tensions in the Middle East and reiterated their mutual commitment to backing diplomatic initiatives aimed at restoring stability in the region. Furthermore, the dialogue reflected satisfaction with the steadily improving bilateral relationship between Pakistan and Malaysia, with both parties pledging to deepen cooperation across various sectors in the near future.
Prime Minister Shehbaz also spoke with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, exchanging warm Eid wishes and engaging in a detailed discussion about regional security challenges. Both leaders stressed the importance of restraint and the continued pursuit of dialogue and diplomacy as essential tools for conflict resolution. They also reviewed the progress of bilateral ties, expressing contentment with the outcomes of President Mirziyoyev’s recent visit to Pakistan. The conversation underscored the necessity of timely follow-up on key agreements reached during that visit to further strengthen cooperation between the two countries.
In a related development, PM Shehbaz held a phone call with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, during which they exchanged Eid greetings and reaffirmed the strong, brotherly relations between Pakistan and Egypt. The prime minister praised Egypt’s constructive diplomatic role in regional and international affairs, particularly its efforts to foster peace in the Middle East. Both leaders shared serious concerns about the ongoing hostilities in Iran and the Gulf and agreed to continue working closely to promote diplomatic efforts aimed at de-escalating tensions and restoring peace and stability to the region.
It is worth noting that these discussions follow similar talks PM Shehbaz had with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Jordanian King Abdullah II just a day earlier. Those conversations also focused heavily on the Middle East crisis, with all parties emphasizing the urgent need for calm and dialogue to prevent further escalation. Collectively, these diplomatic engagements highlight Pakistan’s proactive role in encouraging peaceful resolutions and fostering unity among Muslim-majority nations during a critical period of regional volatility.
