ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, addressing the National Assembly, praised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Staff Gen Syed Asim Munir for their role in facilitating the US-Iran agreement.
He said there was no doubt that the country was passing through historic times and credited Pakistan’s leadership for handling the sensitive matter with wisdom and patience.
Asif said that the cooperation between Prime Minister Shehbaz, CDF Munir and his team had helped resolve a highly delicate issue. He added that Pakistan could have achieved many milestones over the past 75 years if a similar level of coordination had existed between Rawalpindi and Islamabad.
The defence minister also congratulated the Iranian leadership for guiding the Iranian nation through difficult circumstances. He said that if Muslim countries demonstrated the same spirit of unity, the Palestinian issue could also be resolved and the people of Gaza could ultimately receive justice.
He further thanked the US leadership for taking a step towards peace in the region, saying Washington had acknowledged the injustices faced by Iran over several decades and had recognised those concerns within the framework of the agreement.
Concluding his remarks, Asif called on Gulf states to strengthen their unity during what he described as a moment of peace and solidarity, urging them to stand alongside Muslims in Gaza and Lebanon.
During the same National Assembly session, PTI leader Sardar Latif Khosa thanked Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan Reza Amiri Moghadam, who was present in the house, for Iran’s steadfast position throughout the conflict.
Khosa, however, expressed caution regarding the agreement, noting that there was still a gap “between the lip and the cup” until the signing scheduled for Friday. He said there was no certainty that the process would reach fruition, but added that everyone hoped and expected the agreement to be successfully finalised.