Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday said the parties negotiating a landmark peace agreement between US and Iran were closer to a breakthrough than ever before, expressing confidence that the accord could be finalised within the next 24 hours and would lay the foundation for lasting peace.Sharif, in a post on X, said preparations were already under way for the electronic signing of the agreement immediately after its finalisation, to be followed by technical-level talks next week.“We are closer to a peace deal than ever before. With finalisation likely expected in the next 24 hours, Pakistan is preparing for the electronic signing of the peace deal immediately after, followed by technical level talks next week,” the Pakistani premier said.Sharif thanked the United States and Iran for their continued engagement in the negotiations and also acknowledged the support extended by countries in the region.“We would like to thank the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran for their ongoing commitment during the negotiations, and we extend our sincere appreciation to our brothers in the region for their support,” he said.Expressing optimism about the outcome of the talks, Sharif said the agreement had the potential to usher in enduring stability.“We are confident that this historic peace deal will form a strong foundation for lasting peace,” he said.The remarks came amid mounting indications that months of negotiations are nearing their conclusion, with leaders on all sides increasingly projecting confidence about the prospects of an agreement.Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had earlier said that the proposed Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding had “never been closer” and urged the media to refrain from speculating about its contents until the final text was completed.US President Donald Trump has also repeatedly expressed optimism over the talks, claiming Washington had secured “everything” it wanted, although Iranian officials have maintained that the draft agreement still requires review and approval by the country’s leadership.The emerging accord is widely seen as a key step towards easing tensions in the Gulf region and addressing longstanding disputes that have fuelled instability in West Asia.