Pakistan ready to promote peace, PM Shehbaz says after meeting Iran's president at UN

By Pakistan is ready to help promote peace and de-escalate tensions, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Thursday (September 24) after meeting Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian at the United Nations. The meeting took place during the general debate of the UN General Assembly's 81st session, bringing world leaders together in New York. Speaking to reporters, Sharif described their meeting as 'very good' and said he had assured Pezeshkian of Islamabad's willingness to support a peace process. He described Islamabad's Memorandum of Understanding as 'very comprehensive' and said the Iranian president agreed with him, without providing further details of the document. Asked whether negotiations could succeed given the distance between Israeli and Iranian positions, Sharif acknowledged obstacles but expressed optimism. 'Never has peace been easy to achieve. There are hurdles, there are impediments, but we are hopeful,' he said, adding that countries should work together and seek support from other friendly nations. Lebanon backs Pakistan's diplomatic efforts Meanwhile Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam praised Pakistan's efforts to find a diplomatic solution to the US-Iran conflict and prevent its further escalation. Salam said Pakistan had spent the past month working to ease tensions and pursue a diplomatic resolution, adding that he hoped Islamabad would succeed in bringing down tensions across the region. He also thanked PM Shehbaz for Pakistan's efforts concerning the situation in Lebanon. Pakistan has continued diplomatic efforts to keep channels open between Washington and Tehran, with Pakistani officials maintaining contacts with both sides. Qatar is also involved in shuttle diplomacy between the US and Iran in New York. PM Shehbaz is scheduled to address the UNGA on Friday.