From wild fantasy to reality
When Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday morning put his signature on the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, it marked the culmination of an extraordinary diplomatic process that many would have dismissed as pure fantasy only a few months ago.
Few, if any, could have imagined that Pakistan would not only emerge as the principal mediator between Iran and the United States during one of the most dangerous crises in recent Middle Eastern history, but would also succeed in convincing the two bitter adversaries to sign a peace agreement.
peace deal, Yet that is precisely what unfolded.
For Pakistan, the signing of the interim Iran-US accord represents a diplomatic achievement of historic proportions, one that is already being described by officials as among the country’s most significant foreign policy successes in decades.
“Right from day one, our objective was simple: to douse the flames of war,” a senior Pakistani official told The Express Tribune on condition of anonymity. “God willing, we have achieved that milestone. There was a point when the region appeared to be heading towards a catastrophe. Today, there is hope,” the official added.
The formal signing ceremony was initially scheduled to take place in the Swiss resort town of Burgenstock on Friday. However, diplomatic sources said both US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian eventually signed the memorandum digitally, a move that was later endorsed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in his capacity as the chief facilitator of the peace process.
The agreement paved the way for an immediate easing of tensions. The United States moved to lift its naval blockade measures while Iran began reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy artery through which a substantial portion of the world’s oil supplies pass.
The developments provided immediate relief to global markets, which had been rattled by months of uncertainty and fears of a wider regional conflict.
Within hours of the signing ceremony, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a telephone conversation with President Pezeshkian. The two leaders spoke for nearly 30 minutes and reviewed the implementation of the agreement as well as the next phase of diplomatic engagement.
Pakistan’s role has drawn praise not only from regional capitals but from across the international community. President Trump has publicly acknowledged Islamabad’s contribution to the peace effort on several occasions, while diplomatic sources say several European and Gulf governments have commended Pakistan for preventing what could have become a devastating regional war.
Perhaps the most striking reaction, however, has come from Iran itself. A diplomat serving in Tehran described scenes unfolding across the country as “unprecedented”. “Pakistani diplomats and embassy officials are witnessing something that no diplomatic reporting can fully capture,” the diplomat said. “There is genuine jubilation. There is relief. Above all, there is gratitude.”
According to diplomatic sources, the announcement of the peace agreement triggered spontaneous celebrations in various parts of the country. From university campuses and public squares to sports grounds and city streets, a mood of optimism appears to have replaced months of anxiety and uncertainty.
Officials from the Pakistani embassy who recently visited Tehran University alongside European diplomats reported overwhelmingly positive sentiments towards the peace initiative. What has surprised even seasoned observers is the intensity of public affection being displayed towards Pakistan.
Sources say that whenever Iranians identify Pakistani nationals in public places, they frequently stop to greet them, embrace them and express appreciation for Pakistan’s role during the conflict. “They chant slogans in favour of Pakistan and its leadership,” said the diplomat.
“What makes it remarkable is that it is completely spontaneous. There is no organisation behind it. It is coming from ordinary people.” The sentiment, diplomats say, cuts across social and economic divisions. Students, labourers, shopkeepers, factory workers and professionals appear united in their appreciation of Islamabad’s efforts to prevent further bloodshed.
“It is not directed towards one institution or one individual,” observed another source. “It reflects a broader recognition that Pakistan remained engaged when many others believed diplomacy had failed.”
For Islamabad, the diplomatic breakthrough is the culmination of weeks of intense and often discreet engagement involving multiple regional and international stakeholders. Officials familiar with the process say Pakistan maintained open channels with both Tehran and Washington throughout the conflict, carefully navigating one of the most sensitive diplomatic environments in recent memory.
At several stages, the effort appeared close to collapse. But Pakistani negotiators persisted, convinced that a military solution was neither achievable nor sustainable. Their persistence eventually produced results.
In barely 10 weeks, Pakistan succeeded in bringing two wartime adversaries to the negotiating table, convincing them to pursue diplomacy over confrontation. For a country more accustomed to being discussed in the context of regional crises than resolving them, the achievement marks a significant shift in international perceptions.
Whether the current agreement ultimately evolves into a comprehensive and lasting settlement remains to be seen.
Challenges undoubtedly lie ahead.
The memorandum itself provides only a framework for future negotiations and implementation will require sustained commitment from all sides. Yet even critics concede that the mere fact that Tehran and Washington are talking rather than fighting represents a major breakthrough.
And for Pakistan, there is a growing sense that the country has experienced a rare diplomatic moment, one where preparation, opportunity and leadership converged. A few months ago, the idea that Pakistan would broker peace between Iran and the United States would have sounded like an implausible fantasy. Today, it is part of the historical record. For Islamabad, that may prove to be the most remarkable aspect of all.