Pakistani prime minister ‘engaged in securing Lebanon ceasefire,’ says defense chief

Islamuddin Sajid and Aamir Latif

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is engaged in efforts to secure a ceasefire in Lebanon, the South Asian nation’s defense minister said Friday, as Islamabad is preparing to host talks between the US and Iran.

Speaking to ABN, a local TV channel, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif said Israel has attacked Lebanon in “violation” of the ceasefire agreement.

Sharif spoke to the Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, he said, adding that Lebanon is part of the broader US-Iran ceasefire framework.

Asif said diplomatic efforts are underway to de-escalate tensions, describing Israel as a “spoiler” in the process.

Islamabad confirmed the phone call on Thursday. The Lebanese prime minister underscored the “need for our (Pakistan’s) continued support in securing an immediate end to the attacks targeting Lebanon and its people,” according to an official statement.

Israel has killed 303 people over the past two days in Lebanon, triggering global outcry as all eyes are set on Islamabad for US-Iran talks, expected to begin Saturday, after Pakistan secured a 14-day ceasefire between Washington and Tehran early Wednesday.

Asif hoped people “would soon hear good news,” adding that the war in the Middle East could come to an end and lasting peace be restored.

While Pakistani mediators and Tehran said the truce also covered Lebanon, Washington and Tel Aviv have denied it.

According to Iran’s Fars News Agency, Iran has no plans to attend peace talks with the US until Israel stops bombing Lebanon.

The expanded Israeli offensive on Lebanon since March 2 has killed 1,888 people and wounded 6,092 others, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry.

Separately, Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar spoke to his French counterpart Jean-Noel Barrot on Friday.

The two leaders expressed concern “over serious ceasefire violations made in Lebanon” and stressed the “importance of full implementation and respect for the ceasefire,” according to a statement from Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry.