Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif photo:VCG

In a late night address on Saturday, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed the ceasefire and thanked countries like China, the US and Saudi Arabia for backing peace efforts. 

In his address, Sharif thanked US for "playing a sincere and constructive role." Meanwhile, he gave special mention to China for its support, Indian media Times Now reported. 

The prime minister called China a "very dear, very trustworthy and very dear friend."

He said, "I want to extend my gratitude and I have to mention them, from the bottom of my heart, 78 years of history of Pakistan, they have always been there in the times when Pakistan needed them and they have never even acknowledged the loss or profit."

Sharif also said China "have always been there for Pakistan's support and integrity," adding that "I wish that this historical relationship and all these facts, we will remember."
 
Emphasizing optimism for the future, Sharif expressed confidence that water sharing, Kashmir, and other contentious issues would be resolved, according to Hindustan Times.

Also on Saturday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi had a phone call respectively with Pakistani and Indian senior officials, as the two countries reached ceasefire after days of cross-border firing exchanges.

India and Pakistan on Saturday agreed to immediately cease all hostilities across land, air, and sea, following four days of intense cross-border drone and missile strikes, according to Hindustan Times. 

However, Pakistan and India accused each other of violating a ceasefire agreement - just hours after reaching a deal, media reports showed.

Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri told reporters "there had been repeated violations" by Pakistan. In response, the foreign ministry of Pakistan said the country was committed to the ceasefire and blamed India for the violations, according to Sky News. 

Despite some reports of explosions, after the ceasefire was announced, there have also been scenes of calm in many areas, according to reports by Sky News. In some parts on both sides, people have marked what many hope will become a lasting ceasefire, the report said.
 
Latest news also showed that Pakistan has reopened its airspace for all types of flights as tensions eased with India following a ceasefire agreement, but the return to normal flight schedule is likely to take some time, according to Pakistani media Dawn.

Global Times