Congressman hails Pak role in advancing peace

Pakistan's diplomatic role in facilitating ongoing peace negotiations between the United States and Iran has drawn praise from a senior American lawmaker, who described Islamabad's contribution as "indispensable" and reflective of "true statesmanship".

US Congressman Jack Bergman, Co-Chair of the Congressional Pakistan Caucus, has written a letter to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Asim Munir, expressing "sincere gratitude" for Pakistan's role in advancing dialogue between Washington and Tehran.

In the letter, dated May 15 and issued on official US House of Representatives letterhead, Bergman offered one of the clearest public acknowledgements by a sitting US legislator of Pakistan's involvement in the sensitive diplomatic process.

"I write as co-chair of the congressional Pakistan Caucus to express my sincere gratitude for the leadership you have both demonstrated in the ongoing peace negotiations between United States and Iran," Bergman wrote.

He commended Pakistan's leadership for facilitating engagement at a critical juncture, saying that such efforts had contributed meaningfully to easing tensions and advancing prospects for peace.

The congressman also referred to several instances where US President Donald Trump publicly recognised Pakistan's role in the process. These included statements on social media and remarks during public engagements, in which Trump praised Pakistan's leadership for supporting dialogue between the two sides.

"Pakistan is terrific. Field Marshal Asim Munir is fantastic. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is great. They want to see something happen," Trump was quoted as saying in one such statement.

Congressman Bergman further observed that progress in the US-Iran track had come amid sustained diplomatic efforts, with Pakistan playing a constructive and facilitative role.

Praising Islamabad's mediation efforts, Bergman said Islamabad had drawn on its "unique position" to help bring the parties to the negotiating table, framing the effort as an example of "true statesmanship". He added that Pakistan's role had been publicly acknowledged by the president, the White House and Congress, and said he fully endorsed those assessments.

"On behalf of the Congressional Pakistan Caucus, thank you. You have our deep and lasting gratitude," the Congressman wrote, before adding that he looked forward to returning to Pakistan soon in order to continue strengthening ties between the two countries in person.

The tone of the Congressman's message reflects a wider shift in the language emerging from Washington regarding Pakistan's regional posture. Rather than framing Islamabad through the lens of security cooperation or counterterrorism alone, the letter presents Pakistan as an active diplomatic stakeholder capable of shaping the trajectory of high-level regional negotiations.

"The United States' relationship with Pakistan is of enduring strategic importance, and Pakistan's willingness to leverage its unique position to bring these parties to the table is a demonstration of true statesmanship," Bergman wrote.

Pakistan has been mediating between Washington and Tehran to bring a lasting end to the conflict that started with US and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, and was followed by Iranian retaliation against Israel and other regional countries hosting US assets.

Pakistan brokered a two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran on April 8, followed by critical talks in Islamabad, attended by senior delegations from both countries, on April 11 and 12.

However, neither side was able to reach an agreement to bring the conflict to an end.

Since then, the two sides have been exchanging proposals and counter-proposals in an effort to reach a middle ground and resume a second round of direct talks aimed at ending the conflict, which has already disrupted global energy supplies and daily life across the region.

While Pakistan remains hopeful for the resumption of direct talks, sources said there was no "significant" change in Iran's earlier stance on the nuclear issue in its response to US proposals.

According to sources, Tehran's response - delivered to the United States via Islamabad last week - primarily focused on an "immediate" end to hostilities, with "little [in it] in terms of Washington's core demand about Iran's nuclear programme".

Iran, the sources added, has proposed "broader and separate" talks on the nuclear issue, citing its "complexity".

However, Tehran has "reiterated" its willingness to halt uranium enrichment for a period of five years, while rejecting Washington's demand for a 20-year moratorium, according to the sources.