![Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. [Photo=Reuters/Yonhap]](https://image.ajunews.com/content/image/2026/04/22/20260422094746610801.jpg)
In a post Monday on X, Sharif thanked U.S. President Donald Trump for accepting Pakistan’s request to extend the ceasefire. He said he hoped both sides would continue to observe the truce and reach a comprehensive peace agreement in a second round of talks planned in Islamabad to permanently end the conflict.
Pakistan’s government has taken the same line. In a briefing April 16, the Foreign Ministry said Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts led to the U.S.-Iran ceasefire and the resumption of negotiations. It said it was important for both sides to keep their ceasefire commitments and that Pakistan would continue to support dialogue and talks.
Pakistan mediated the first round of talks in Islamabad on April 11-12, hosting delegations led by U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.
The latest statements did not amount to a confirmed end to the war. While the United States announced an extension of the ceasefire, Iran has maintained that lifting a maritime blockade and ending pressure must come first. Sharif’s message was seen less as a declaration of an end to hostilities than a reaffirmation that Pakistan intends to keep the mediation framework in place, secure a second round of talks and link it to a final agreement.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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