Pakistan casts itself as chief peace broker

Islamabad could be potential venue for US-Iran talks

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan has emerged as a key player seeking an end to the escalating US-Iran conflict, with Islamabad being quietly positioned as a potential venue for negotiations between Tehran and Washington, according to American media reports and officials familiar with the developments.

The diplomatic opening came soon after US President Donald Trump announced a temporary halt in hostilities, citing what he described as "constructive engagement" with Iran. In the immediate aftermath, reports suggested that Pakistan, Türkiye and Egypt had stepped up efforts to facilitate indirect messaging between the two adversaries.

According to Axios, Islamabad is being considered for possible talks involving a US delegation that may include special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, alongside senior Iranian leadership, potentially including the parliamentary speaker.

Tehran, however, publicly rejected any suggestion of direct or indirect negotiations with Washington.

Yet, diplomatic activity over the past 24 hours indicates a flurry of behind-the-scenes engagement suggesting otherwise.

Pakistan's civil and military leadership remained actively engaged with key stakeholders.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a telephone conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, reaffirming solidarity with Iran while urging restraint and dialogue.

According to an official statement, the prime minister extended Eidul Fitr and Nowruz greetings to the Iranian leadership and people, while expressing condolences over the loss of lives in the ongoing conflict. He warned of the "dangerous" trajectory of hostilities in the Gulf and underscored the urgent need for collective efforts to de-escalate tensions through diplomacy.

Importantly, he stressed the need for unity within the Muslim world, highlighting that cohesion in the Ummah was "more critical than ever" amid the unfolding crisis.

Sharing details of Pakistan's diplomatic outreach, Shehbaz assured Tehran that Islamabad would continue to play a constructive role in facilitating peace and stability in the region.

Meanwhile, the country's military leadership also engaged Washington. A report in the Financial Times said Field Marshal and Chief of Army Staff Syed Asim Munir held a telephone conversation with President Trump to discuss the evolving situation.

Diplomatic sources said the contacts reflected Pakistan's attempt to leverage its unique ties with both Tehran and Washington to create space for dialogue.

At the same time, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar led hectic diplomatic outreach, speaking separately with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi and Türkiye's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.

In both conversations, Dar emphasised the importance of dialogue and diplomacy to ensure peace, security and stability in the region and beyond, with all sides agreeing to remain in close contact.

These parallel engagements, involving Türkiye and Egypt as well, point to a coordinated but still nascent mediation effort, largely centred on backchannel messaging rather than a formal negotiation process.

While there has been no official confirmation from Islamabad regarding hosting talks, sources did not rule out the possibility, suggesting Pakistan is willing to provide a neutral venue if required.

Analysts caution, however, that despite the diplomatic flurry, the prospects for a breakthrough remain uncertain given the deep mistrust between Washington and Tehran and the rapidly evolving battlefield dynamics.

Still, Pakistan's proactive diplomacy underscores its attempt to position itself as a bridge, maintaining solidarity with Iran as a neighbour while preserving its strategic ties with the United States and key Gulf partners.

Since the war began, Pakistan has been walking a tight diplomatic rope as it has to navigate the situation.

Pakistan wants to avoid getting embroiled directly into the conflict despite having mutual defense pact with Saudi Arabia.

That was the reason it was pushing for dialogue and diplomacy.

Sources said if Pakistan efforts were successful that would be a major diplomatic coup.