Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed hope on Tuesday that the memorandum of understanding signed by the US and Iran before the two sides held talks in Switzerland over the weekend would turn into a “long-lasting agreement”.

He said this while addressing the National Assembly, where he recalled the developments at the recent summit in the Swiss resort of Burgenstock, where delegations from the US and Iran held an hours-long discussion with Pakistan and Qatar participating as mediators.

“Pakistan tried its best, with complete sincerity, to close the distance between the two sides,” he said, adding that the dialogue that began on Sunday stretched past midnight into Monday.

He recalled that a joint statement was issued by the mediators in the early hours of Monday after the dialogue concluded, noting that technical talks would be held between the US and Iran over the next 60 days. The negotiations would also cover Iran’s nuclear assets, ballistic missiles and frozen assets, he added.

“We fully hope that the MoU will turn into a long-lasting agreement over the next 60 days, leading to peace in the world,” he hoped.

The premier went on to congratulate the nation and members of the House, including those from the opposition, highlighting Pakistan’s “key” and “historic” role in the armistice. “World’s renowned newspapers featured Pakistan on their front pages,” he said.

PM Shehbaz termed it a “positive narrative” regarding Pakistan, adding that “we would not have been able to achieve it even after spending billions of rupees”.

Mentioning that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian was due in Pakistan today, he said the day’s discussion would focus on strengthening ties between the two countries, and this was not the time to raise differences.

The premier expressed this grievance, noting the absence of Opposition Leader in the NA Mehmood Khan Achakzai, who had left before PM Shehbaz spoke.

Achakzai also addressed the House prior to the prime minister’s speech, but his remarks were not aired.

However, PM Shehbaz said the opposition leader had criticised one of his earlier speeches and recalled that “I thumped the desk”. Without sharing which instance was being exactly referred to or much context, the premier explained that any desk thumping by him would have been in relation to Pakistan’s diplomatic achievements in connection with efforts for peace between the US and Iran.

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