ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan will host the formal signing ceremony of a landmark peace agreement between Iran and the United States in Geneva on June 19, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced on Monday, hailing the breakthrough as a “new dawn of peace” after months of intense diplomacy that helped avert a wider regional war and potentially transformed the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East.
The announcement marked the culmination of a painstaking diplomatic process involving multiple regional and international stakeholders, ending one of the most dangerous periods of confrontation between Washington and Tehran in decades. The agreement includes the immediate and permanent cessation of military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon, according to the Prime Minister.
Addressing the session of National Assembly, Prime Minister Shehbaz said the world had crossed a historic milestone by witnessing an end to hostilities between the United States and Iran.
“The world has achieved a historic milestone for peace. Iran and the United States have announced the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon,” the premier told lawmakers.
“The formal ceremony for this historic agreement will be held on Friday, June 19, in Geneva, and Pakistan will host the event,” he added.
The prime minister described the accord as far more than a bilateral understanding between two adversaries.
“This is not merely an agreement between two countries. It is a victory for peace and dialogue, a triumph of diplomacy and a defeat of the devastation caused by war,” he said.
In a separate statement posted on X, Shehbaz announced that the peace deal had been reached following intensive negotiations and confirmed that mediators would facilitate a series of meetings before the formal signing ceremony.
“Following intensive talks, we are pleased to announce that the Peace Deal between the United States of America and Islamic Republic of Iran has been reached. Both sides have declared the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon,” he wrote.
The premier said the coming days would see pre-implementation discussions aimed at laying the groundwork for technical negotiations and the official signing ceremony.
The breakthrough follows weeks of behind-the-scenes diplomacy involving Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and several other countries that worked to bridge differences between Washington and Tehran at a time when fears of a broader regional conflict had reached alarming levels.
Shehbaz congratulated President Donald Trump, Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, the Iranian president and all those involved in the peace process for demonstrating patience and wisdom during the difficult negotiations.
He also paid tribute to the leaders of Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye for what he termed their indispensable contributions to the mediation effort.
During his parliamentary speech, the prime minister highlighted the difficult nature of the negotiations, revealing that there were several moments when the process appeared on the verge of collapse.
He particularly praised Field Marshal Asim Munir for his role in helping sustain diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the conflict.
“The Field Marshal devoted his days and nights to extinguishing the flames of war and establishing peace,” Shehbaz said.
“There were many occasions during the negotiations when it seemed the process would collapse, but he did not lose hope. As a result, the ceasefire was announced last night,” he added.
The prime minister said the achievement was a matter of pride not only for Pakistanis living in the country but also for the overseas Pakistani community around the world.
He further argued that the peace accord would generate positive economic dividends by restoring confidence to global markets shaken by months of uncertainty and conflict.
“The devastating effects of this war shook the entire world and the global economy. Pakistan’s economy was also significantly affected and those effects continue to this day,” he said.
“I assure the people that the government will ensure that every Pakistani benefits from the global economic stability that emerges as a result of this peace agreement.”
The conflict and the accompanying uncertainty had raised fears of disruptions to global energy supplies, increased volatility in oil markets and broader economic instability, particularly affecting developing economies dependent on imported energy.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also welcomed the agreement, describing it as a significant diplomatic breakthrough and evidence that sustained engagement remains the most effective means of resolving international disputes.
“Pakistan warmly welcomes the understanding reached between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Dar said in a statement.
“This significant breakthrough reflects the power of sustained diplomatic engagement and the collective resolve of friendly nations to choose dialogue over confrontation.”
Dar said the agreement would provide much-needed confidence and stability to global markets and reassure countries concerned about the economic consequences of prolonged regional instability.
He noted that Pakistan had remained actively engaged throughout the process and consistently advocated restraint, dialogue and constructive engagement among all parties.
“Throughout this period, Pakistan remained actively engaged with all concerned parties and consistently advocated restraint and constructive engagement, maintaining that dialogue and diplomacy remain the only viable means for the resolution of all issues,” he said.
The foreign minister said Pakistan appreciated the trust shown by both Washington and Tehran during the mediation process and praised their commitment to pursuing a peaceful and negotiated outcome.
Dar also acknowledged the role played by Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkiye, Egypt, the United Nations and other international partners in helping facilitate the diplomatic breakthrough.
“We are grateful for the support and sincere diplomatic efforts of our brotherly countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkiye, Egypt and others, as well as the United Nations and our international partners who remained closely engaged throughout this process and helped achieve this important milestone,” he said.
While details of the agreement have yet to be publicly released, the signing of deal would pave the way for the next phase where both sides would strive for thrashing out a final accord covering all contentious issues.
Pakistan, according to Dar, remains prepared to support future efforts aimed at consolidating the gains made through the agreement and ensuring its successful implementation.
Observers view the accord as one of the most consequential diplomatic developments in the Middle East in recent years. If successfully implemented, it could reduce regional tensions, stabilise global energy markets and open the door for broader discussions on longstanding disputes that have fuelled instability across the region.
For Pakistan, the agreement represents a significant diplomatic achievement, reinforcing Islamabad’s growing role as a facilitator of dialogue in a region often defined by conflict. Hosting the signing ceremony in Geneva is expected to further highlight Pakistan’s contribution to an initiative that officials believe has prevented a potentially devastating regional war and created an opportunity for a more stable Middle East.