Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif recently spoke by phone with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, discussing key regional and bilateral developments, including the successful organisation of Hajj 2025, the ceasefire between Iran and Israel, and renewed tensions between Pakistan and India.
The Prime Minister extended congratulations to the Crown Prince for the smooth execution of this year’s Hajj and expressed heartfelt appreciation for the Kingdom’s warm hospitality extended to Pakistani pilgrims.
During the conversation, Prime Minister Shehbaz also praised Saudi Arabia’s positive role in de-escalating the recent tensions between Pakistan and India. He reaffirmed Islamabad’s readiness for constructive engagement with New Delhi on all unresolved matters, emphasising Pakistan’s commitment to peace and dialogue in South Asia.
Turning to the Middle East, the two leaders discussed the recent Iran-Israel hostilities. Prime Minister Shehbaz reiterated Pakistan’s principled stance advocating for diplomatic and peaceful solutions to conflicts, underlining the need for all parties to respect the UN Charter and international law.
He further reiterated Pakistan’s unwavering support for Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. In response, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman thanked Pakistan for its solidarity and recognised Islamabad’s meaningful contributions towards regional stability, particularly during the Iran-Israel standoff.
The Saudi Crown Prince also held separate phone calls with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
During his conversation with President Pezeshkian, the Crown Prince discussed the terms of the ceasefire. President Pezeshkian expressed Iran’s willingness to engage with the United States through diplomatic channels, stating that “Israel started the war, and Iran ended it,” and portraying the ceasefire as a testament to Iran’s national resolve.
In the call with Qatar’s Emir, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman condemned Iran’s missile strike on a U.S. military base in Qatar, labelling the attack as unjustifiable. He reassured full Saudi support for Qatar’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had also held a separate conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in which he underlined the urgency of de-escalating tensions and restoring calm in the region through dialogue. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s full diplomatic support for Iran at international forums, including the United Nations Security Council and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.
The Iranian president expressed his gratitude for Pakistan’s consistent and principled support and acknowledged Islamabad’s efforts to promote a peaceful resolution amid regional turmoil. Both leaders agreed on the critical importance of unity among Muslim nations in the face of escalating geopolitical challenges and committed to maintaining close communication moving forward.
In a separate development, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong in Islamabad, where he reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to ongoing China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects. The meeting also covered preparations for the prime minister’s upcoming visit to China scheduled for August.
