Pakistan basks in new glory

Shehbaz says country has changed forever Calls on all sides to respect ceasefire Credits civil-military unity fo

ISLAMABAD:

Islamabad stood on the cusp of an extraordinary diplomatic moment on Wednesday as Pakistan transitioned from crisis mediator to host of high-stakes negotiations, a development framed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif as "the most historic moment of honour" in the country's history.

The White House has confirmed that Vice President JD Vance would travel to Pakistan that the talks on Saturday, accompanied by senior envoys. Iran is expected to send parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf alongside Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi.

Pakistan brokered a 15-day ceasefire early Wednesday after a tense 40-day conflict between the US and Iran, during which Islamabad maintained a careful balancing act, avoiding alignment with either side while working quietly to open channels for de-escalation and dialogue.

Addressing a federal cabinet meeting amid a charged atmosphere, Prime Minister Shehbaz said that feat was achieved through unity, coordinated civil-military leadership and sustained diplomatic engagement.

Pakistan has been "blessed with a rare honour" by helping calm a conflict that threatened to spiral far beyond the region," he told the cabinet members, who had greeted him with a standing ovation as he outlined the significance of the breakthrough.

"This reflects the collective efforts and prayers of the nation, and the leadership's commitment to preventing escalation among brotherly countries," he said, emphasising that a potentially devastating confrontation had been contained, at least temporarily, through diplomacy.

On Tuesday, Pakistan intervened directly, with the prime minister urging US President Donald Trump to delay his threat of imminent military action for two weeks while simultaneously calling on Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz as a goodwill gesture.

His dual appeal helped unlock a pause in hostilities. Shehbaz described the response from both sides as marked by "remarkable wisdom and understanding", adding that the ceasefire created a narrow but vital window for diplomacy to take root and avert further escalation.

Building on that momentum, the prime minister extended a formal invitation to both sides to convene in Islamabad, setting the stage for what he termed the 'Islamabad Talks' aimed at reaching a "conclusive agreement" to resolve longstanding disputes.

"I warmly welcome the sagacious gesture and extend deepest gratitude to the leadership of both countries," he said, adding: "We earnestly hope that the Islamabad talks succeed in achieving sustainable peace and wish to share more good news in coming days."

The White House confirmation followed swiftly, with officials announcing that a US negotiating team led by Vice President JD Vance would travel to Pakistan, accompanied by senior envoys, for in-person discussions scheduled to begin on Saturday morning local time.

Iran, grappling with the loss of several senior leaders during the conflict, is expected to send a high-level delegation led by parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf alongside Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, signalling the seriousness with which Tehran is approaching the talks.

During the diplomatic opening, significant issues will be discussed. US officials indicated that negotiations would be conducted behind closed doors and stressed that Washington's core demands had not shifted, even as it agreed to a temporary suspension of military operations.

President Trump, who had earlier threatened severe consequences, acknowledged Pakistan's intervention in delaying military action, linking the pause to assurances sought from both Islamabad and Tehran, particularly regarding maritime security in the Gulf.

Within Pakistan, preparations for hosting the talks moved into high gear, transforming Islamabad into a tightly controlled diplomatic enclave as authorities rolled out sweeping security and administrative measures.

A two-day public holiday was announced for Thursday and Friday to facilitate the arrival and movement of foreign delegations, with all official activities in the federal capital, including sessions of the National Assembly and Senate, suspended.

Specialised teams have been formed to oversee protocol, logistics and accommodation, reflecting the scale and sensitivity of the engagement as Pakistan prepares to host delegations from the two nations who have a long history of hostility.

A five-star hotel located in the Red Zone has been designated to house the visiting delegations, with law-enforcement agencies taking full control of its security. Existing guests have been requested to vacate to make way for official use.

A tight security cordon has been established around the facility, with containers placed on surrounding roads and access routes sealed or heavily restricted, effectively turning the area into a fortified zone during the negotiations.

Authorities have directed that entry into the Red Zone be closed during key phases of the talks, with access limited strictly to authorised individuals subject to thorough security clearance and verification procedures.

Special traffic management plans are being implemented to handle the movement of delegations, with designated routes and controlled corridors aimed at minimising disruption while ensuring maximum security. Officials said the measures were necessary.

In his cabinet address, the prime minister underscored the importance of unity between political and military leadership, describing it as a decisive factor in Pakistan's diplomatic success during the crisis.

He credited Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and his team for working tirelessly to facilitate engagement, while also paying tribute to Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for maintaining continuous contacts with international stakeholders.

The prime minister also acknowledged the role of friendly countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Turkiye, Indonesia, Egypt, Azerbaijan, the United Arab Emirates and China, for supporting Pakistan's peace initiative at a critical juncture.

Referring to his recent conversation with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman following attacks on Saudi energy facilities, Shehbaz reiterated Pakistan's "unwavering solidarity" with the kingdom and reaffirmed longstanding ties between the two countries.

He stressed that the ceasefire represented only a first step, cautioning that sustained diplomatic effort would be required to translate the temporary pause into a durable settlement capable of addressing underlying tensions.

"The flames of conflict, which had threatened to spread across the region for more than a month, have been contained for two weeks," he said, expressing hope that the window would lead to a permanent ceasefire and broader stability.

Highlighting the domestic dimension, the prime minister said the government had simultaneously managed economic pressures, including inflation, through coordinated policy measures and targeted interventions to shield citizens from external shocks.

He expressed gratitude to President Asif Zardari, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, and Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, as well as coalition partners and provincial leadership, for their support during the critical period.

The prime minister emphasised that the diplomatic success belonged to the entire nation, from workers and farmers to professionals and public servants, portraying it as a collective achievement that had elevated Pakistan's global standing.

"Pakistan has changed forever," he declared, adding that the country was now being viewed with renewed respect and dignity for its responsible role in promoting peace and stability.

Later, while expressing concerns over violation of the ceasefire at some places, Shehbaz called on all the sides to respect the ceasefire. "Violations of ceasefire have been reported at a few places across the conflict zone, which undermine the spirit of the peace process," he wrote on X.

"I earnestly and sincerely urge all parties to exercise restraint and respect the ceasefire for two weeks, as agreed upon, so that diplomacy can take a lead role towards a peaceful settlement of the conflict," the prime minister added.

(WITH INPUT FROM NAEEM ASGHAR & AGENCIES)