NA passes unanimous Iran-US peace resolution amid rare cross-party engagement

ISLAMABAD: In a rare display of political consensus, the National Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution on Friday expressing gratitude for the country’s diplomatic role in facilitating a landmark peace agreement between Iran and the United States.

The NA session, presided over by Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, witnessed repeated cross-floor interactions between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and opposition leaders, signaling a brief pause in the lower house’s usually polarised proceedings.

Speaker Sadiq opened the session by characterising the diplomatic breakthrough as a “once-in-centuries moment” for Pakistan’s foreign policy footprint.

He paid tribute to the coordinated efforts of the civilian and military leadership, specifically citing Prime Minister Sharif, Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi.

Upon entering the chamber, SPM harif broke legislative protocol by walking over to the opposition benches. The premier shook hands and engaged in brief discussions with Opposition Leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan.

Addressing the assembly, Sharif described the finalisation of the peace text as a momentous achievement for regional stability. He credited key intermediary roles played by regional partners China, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, Qatar and Oman.

The prime minister also extended formal thanks to US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian for their commitment to completing the diplomatic framework.

Economic Cushioning and Fuel Price Relief

Switching to domestic fiscal policy, the prime minister announced that the government has successfully allocated Rs128 billion in targeted subsidies to shield the domestic economy from regional trade disruptions during the height of the Iran-US conflict.

With international oil markets stabilising following news of the agreement, Sharif confirmed that the financial dividend would be passed directly to consumers through a substantial reduction in domestic petroleum prices.

“We have managed to avert the severe supply-chain crises observed in neighbouring economies,” Sharif stated, adding that he has invited Iranian President Pezeshkian for an official state visit to Islamabad.

Sharif further informed lawmakers that a high-level Pakistani state delegation will travel to Iran to attend the state funeral ceremony of the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, scheduled for early July.

Floor Diplomacy and Opposition Assurances

The most notable developments occurred away from the formal microphones. Following his floor address, Sharif returned to the opposition benches alongside Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah.

During a prolonged standing huddle, opposition leaders presented a list of legislative demands to the premier. Sharif immediately summoned Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb to the floor to issue directives before returning to the treasury benches.

In his address, Opposition Leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai adopted a conciliatory posture, affirming that the opposition remains aligned with the government on matters touching national sovereignty and international standing.

“Political rivalries must not compromise state unity,” Achakzai said, while explicitly reiterating that the opposition continues to recognise Sharif as the legitimate Leader of the House, despite ongoing partisan disputes over parliamentary authority.

Unanimous Passage of Joint Resolution

Following the floor consultations, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar introduced a joint resolution formally backed by both sides of the aisle.

The resolution officially recorded parliament’s appreciation for the state leadership and international allies in preventing a wider regional war. The motion passed without a single dissenting vote after final, cross-bench consultations between Sharif, Asif, and opposition members concluded just before the electronic voting bells rang.