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Friday, 19 June, 2026 | 3 Muharram, 1448
Rs 20.00 | Vol XVII No 85 | 8 Pages | Islamabad Edition
PM ShehBaz aSSUreS IraN oF PakIStaN'S CoNtINUed SUPPort aS US-IraN PeaCe ProCeSS MoveS Forward g
PEZESHKIAN PRAISES PAKISTAN’S MEDIATION ROLE, SAYS TEHRAN WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER ISLAMABAD’S SUPPORT DURING DIFFICULT TIMES
US-Iran Peace Accord takes effect as leaders sign 'Islamabad MoU': PM ISLAMABAD
STAFF CORRESPONDENT
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ISLAMABAD
STAFF CORRESPONDENT
RIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering support for Iran during the next phase of its negotiations with the United States, assuring Tehran that Islamabad would continue to stand by the Islamic Republic as a brotherly neighbour and trusted partner. The assurance came during a telephone conversation between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, their first direct contact since the signing of the historic Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that formally ended months of conflict between the United States and Iran. According to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the two leaders held a detailed discussion lasting more than 30 minutes, focusing on the implementation of the agreement, regional stability and the future direction of Pakistan-Iran relations. Prime Minister Shehbaz congratulated President Pezeshkian, the Iranian leader-
ship and the people of Iran on the successful conclusion of the landmark agreement. “This historic deal will not only help restore peace and stability in the region but will also contribute significantly to the reconstruction and economic revival of Iran while further strengthening Pakistan-Iran relations across all areas of mutual interest,” the prime minister said. He also conveyed his respectful regards and best wishes to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei. The Islamabad MoU, signed electronically by US President Donald Trump and President Pezeshkian and endorsed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif as mediator, has been hailed internationally as a major diplomatic breakthrough that ended a conflict which had threatened regional security, disrupted global trade and energy markets, and intensified humanitarian concerns across the Middle East. During the conversation, Prime Minister Shehbaz assured the Iranian president that Pakistan would continue supporting efforts aimed at ensuring the successful implementation of the agreement and the advancement of dialogue between Tehran and Washington.
US has lifted blockade on all maritime traffic entering, exiting Iranian ports and coastal areas: CeNtCoM WASHINGTON AGENCIES
The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) said on Thursday that it had lifted the blockade of Iran's ports and coastal areas with traffic open for all vessels after the signing of a memorandum between the US and Iran. In a post on X, CENTCOM said: "Today, US forces lifted the blockade on all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports and coastal areas, in accordance with the President's direction. American forces are not impeding the transit of vessels to or from Iranian ports on the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. All US military blockade enforcement efforts have ceased. Our great naval ships will remain in the general area to make sure that all aspects of the agreement are adhered to, obeyed and in full force and effect."
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Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced on Thursday that the “Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding” (MoU) between the United States and Iran had been electronically signed by the leadership of both countries, formally bringing into force a landmark agreement aimed at ending months of conflict and restoring regional stability. In a statement posted on social media platform X, the prime minister said the accord had been signed by the presidents of the United States and Iran and endorsed by Pakistan in its capacity as mediator. “The memorandum has been signed by the honourable presidents of both countries and also endorsed by me as the mediator. The signing of this agreement at the highest level demonstrates the commitment of both sides to a diplomatic resolution of the conflict,” he stated. President Pezeshkian, on behalf of the Iranian nation, expressed profound gratitude to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for their pivotal role in facilitating the mediation process. “Iran will always remember Pakistan’s positive and constructive efforts and its support during these difficult times,” President Pezeshkian said, according to the PMO.
According to the prime minister, the agreement came into effect immediately, with Iran reopening the Strait of Hormuz and the United States lifting its naval blockade as part of the first phase of implementation. The breakthrough follows months of intensive diplomacy aimed at ending a conflict that erupted in February and threatened regional security, disrupted global energy supplies and raised fears of a wider war in the Middle East. US President Donald Trump confirmed that he had signed the document during a dinner at the Palace of Versailles following the G7 summit in France. Video footage released by his aides showed the president signing the agreement before guests, including French President Emmanuel Macron. “Just signed it,” Trump told reporters after the ceremony. Iran also confirmed the development, with Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei saying the document had been finalised with the signatures of both presidents. The Iranian president praised Pakistan’s diplomatic engagement, describing its role in bringing the two sides together as one carried out with “great skill and sincerity”. He also expressed Tehran’s keen interest in expanding bilateral cooperation with Pakistan in diverse fields, including trade, investment, energy, connectivity and regional security. The two leaders agreed to maintain
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Pakistan, Ghana agree to expand defence cooperation RAWALPINDI
STAFF CORRESPONDENT
Pakistan and Ghana on Thursday agreed to further strengthen bilateral military cooperation, with a focus on joint training, counter-terrorism collaboration and defence production during high-level meetings held in Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Lieutenant General William Agyapong, Chief of Defence Staff of the Republic of Ghana, called on Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces, at General Headquarters (GHQ), Rawalpindi. Upon his arrival at GHQ, the visiting military chief was presented a guard of honour by a smartly turned-out tri-services contingent. During the meeting, the two sides discussed matters of mutual interest, regional security and bilateral defence cooperation. They reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing military-to-military relations, particularly in the areas of professional training, counter-ter-
rorism cooperation and defence industrial collaboration. Field Marshal Asim Munir and Lt Gen Agyapong also exchanged views on regional security developments and avenues for expanding defence engagement between the two countries. The Ghanaian defence chief highly appreciated the professionalism of the Pakistan Armed Forces and acknowledged their contribution to regional peace and stability. Separately, Ghana’s National Security Coordinator, Abdul Razak Osman, held meetings with Chief of
the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf at Naval Headquarters and Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu at Air Headquarters in Islamabad. Lieutenant General William Agyapong was also present during the meetings. The interactions reflected the growing defence and security cooperation between Pakistan and Ghana and underscored both countries’ commitment to strengthening institutional ties across the military, naval and air domains.
China welcomes US-Iran MoU, urges commitment to peace process BEIJING
STAFF CORRESPONDENT
China on Thursday welcomed the signing of the firstphase memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the United States and Iran, describing it as an important development that could help reduce tensions and reinforce the momentum of the ceasefire in the Middle East. Responding to reports that US President Donald Trump had signed the agreement and that Iran had formally finalized the text, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said Beijing viewed the development positively and hoped all parties would honour their commitments. “The signing of the first-phase MoU by the US and Iran is of positive significance for easing tensions and consolidating the momentum of the ceasefire,” Lin said during a regular media briefing. “China welcomes this move and hopes that all relevant parties, including the US and Iran, will uphold the spirit of the agreement and earnestly fulfill their commitments,” he added. The spokesperson stressed that military force could not resolve disputes and reiterated China’s longstanding position that dialogue and diplomacy remain the only viable path to lasting peace. “Force cannot solve problems; equal-footed negotiation is the right path,” Lin said. “China hopes that both the US and Iran will approach the secondphase negotiations with a rational and pragmatic attitude, meet each other halfway and work together to achieve positive outcomes in the next stage of talks.” Highlighting Beijing’s diplomatic efforts since the outbreak of the US-Israel-Iran conflict, Lin said China had actively engaged with regional and international stakeholders to help de-escalate tensions and promote peace. He noted that Chinese President Xi Jinping had proposed a four-point framework aimed at safeguarding peace and stability in the Middle East, while advocating support for regional countries in building “a common home of good-neighbourliness, development, security and cooperation.” Lin said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi had conducted extensive diplomatic outreach, holding more than 30 telephone conversations and meetings with foreign ministers and senior officials from relevant countries to facilitate dialogue and coordination. He also pointed to the joint five-point initiative issued by China and Pakistan aimed at restoring peace and stability in the Gulf and the wider Middle East region. “China will act on the spirit of President Xi Jinping’s four-point proposal and continue to play an active and constructive role in achieving long-term peace and stability in the Middle East and Gulf region,” the spokesperson said. The remarks came a day after the United States and Iran formally signed the first phase of the Islamabadbrokered peace agreement, which seeks to end months of conflict and pave the way for comprehensive negotiations on regional security, nuclear issues and broader bilateral relations.
Bilawal says NFC allocations protected, calls for long-term economic reforms ISLAMABAD
STAFF CORRESPONDENT
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Thursday said the federal government had assured provinces that their allocations under the Seventh National Finance Commission (NFC) Award would remain protected, while emphasizing the need for sustainable economic reforms beyond temporary fiscal measures.
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