Pakistan acknowledges role in de-esclation efforts

ISLAMABAD:

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Tuesday that Pakistan was “ready and honoured” to be the host to negotiations between the United States and Iran as the Foreign Office (FO) acknowledged that the government was actively pursuing diplomatic avenues to help bring an end to the ongoing war in the Middle East, while cautioning against media speculation that could undermine sensitive efforts requiring discretion.

In a post on X, the premier said: “Pakistan welcomes and fully supports ongoing efforts to pursue dialogue to end the war in Middle East, in the interest of peace and stability in region and beyond. Subject to concurrence by the US and Iran, Pakistan stands ready and honoured to be the host to facilitate meaningful and conclusive talks for a comprehensive settlement of the ongoing conflict.”

Earlier, in an exclusive conversation with The Express Tribune, FO spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said Islamabad remained firmly committed to resolving the conflict through dialogue and engagement, in line with its longstanding foreign policy principles.

However, he stressed that such efforts required confidentiality. “Diplomacy and negotiations often require that certain matters be advanced with discretion,” he noted, urging the media to refrain from speculation and await official announcements.

Read: Pakistan casts itself as chief peace broker

Pakistan’s cautious public posture comes as it quietly emerges as a key player seeking an end to the escalating US-Iran conflict. According to American media reports and officials familiar with the developments, Islamabad is being positioned as a potential venue for negotiations between Tehran and Washington.

The diplomatic opening followed US President Donald Trump announcing a temporary halt in hostilities, citing what he described as “constructive engagement” with Iran. In the immediate aftermath, reports suggested that Pakistan, Turkiye and Egypt 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, has 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.

Read more: Trump puts off threat to bomb Iran power grid as Pakistan, Turkiye, Egypt reportedly mediate to end conflict

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, saying cohesion in the Ummah was “more critical than ever” amid the unfolding crisis.

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

Meanwhile, the country’s military leadership also engaged Washington. A report in the Financial Times said Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal 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 (DPM) and Foreign Minister (FM) Ishaq Dar led a hectic diplomatic outreach, speaking separately with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi and Turkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. In both conversations, Dar emphasised dialogue and diplomacy to ensure peace and stability, with all sides agreeing to remain in close contact.

Also read: JI chief urges Pakistan to back Iran-US talks, warns against ‘Trump deception’

These parallel engagements, involving Turkiye 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, prospects for a breakthrough remain uncertain given deep mistrust between Washington and Tehran and 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 strategic ties with the United States and key Gulf partners.

Since the war began, Pakistan has been walking a tight diplomatic rope, seeking to avoid being directly embroiled in the conflict despite its mutual defence pact with Saudi Arabia. That balancing act, officials say, is precisely why Islamabad is pushing for dialogue and diplomacy.

Sources added that if Pakistan’s efforts succeed, it could amount to a major diplomatic coup.