Ahead of Islamabad Talks, PM says real challenge lies in sustaining ceasefire, resolving issues

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Apr, 2026) Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday said that while a temporary ceasefire has been announced by the United States and Iran, the real challenge lies in sustaining the ceasefire and resolving the complicated issues as Islamabad prepares to host crucial peace talks between the two states on Saturday.

“A temporary ceasefire has been announced, but now the even more difficult stage is that of sustaining the ceasefire and of resolving the entangled issues through negotiations. This is a make or break phase,” the prime minister said in his address to the nation.

He said that the leadership of both countries would be in Islamabad on Saturday, and Pakistan’s leadership would play its fullest role to ensure the success of the negotiations.

He termed the peace talks between Iran and the United States in Islamabad a historic occasion and a moment of pride for the entire Muslim world.

"I am addressing you on a historic occasion when there is talk of peace in the Gulf, not war. The countries that were at war and the region stood on the verge of destruction — today, Alhamdulillah, both parties have agreed to resolve their differences through dialogue,” the prime minister said.

He expressed gratitude to Iran and the United States leadership for accepting his proposal for a temporary ceasefire and for accepting his invitation to hold peace talks in Islamabad.

“Allah has blessed Pakistan with the opportunity to host these crucial talks, This is a moment of pride not only for our country but for the entire Muslim world,” he remarked.

The prime minister paid rich tribute to the efforts made by Pakistani leadership in bringing the two sides to the negotiating table.

He particularly praised Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, and their respective teams, and all others for their untiring efforts in securing a temporary ceasefire and convincing both parties to come to Islamabad for talks.

“History will always remember in golden words the significant role played by the Field Marshal in these efforts,” he added.

Appealing to the nation to pray to Allah Almighty for the success of the talks, the prime minister emphasized that it was crucial to save the lives of numerous people and restore lasting peace in the region.

During the address, the prime minister also announced a major relief to the masses by slashing diesel price by Rs135 per liter, and petrol by Rs 12 per liter, passing on the full impact of the reduced international oil prices to the common man.

He said that keeping in view the ongoing wheat crushing season, the need to keep commodity prices affordable, and to reduce transport fares, the government has reduced the price of diesel from Rs520 per liter to Rs385 per liter, while petrol has been brought down from Rs378 per liter to Rs366 per liter.

He said that the targeted subsidy announced by him, in coordination with the provincial governments to support two-wheelers and transporters, would continue unchanged.