In just 10 weeks, Pakistan managed to bring two war adversaries to the negotiating table and succeeded
ISLAMABAD:
When Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif signed the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding on Thursday morning, 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 become the main mediator between Iran and the United States during one of the most dangerous crises in recent Middle East history, but also succeed in convincing the two bitter adversaries to sign a peace deal.
And yet, that is precisely what happened.
For Pakistan, the signing of the Iran-US Interim Accord represents a diplomatic achievement of historic proportions, which is already being described by officials as one of the country’s most significant foreign policy successes in decades.
“From day one, our goal was simple: to extinguish the flames of war,” a senior Pakistani official told The PK Press Club Express under condition of anonymity. “God willing, we have taken this step. There was a time when the region seemed headed for disaster. Today there is hope,” the official added.
The official signing ceremony was initially scheduled to take place on Friday in the Swiss resort town of Burgenstock. However, diplomatic sources indicated that US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian eventually signed the memorandum digitally, a move which was later approved by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in his capacity as the main facilitator of the peace process.
The agreement paved the way for an immediate easing of tensions. The United States has decided to lift its naval blockade measures while Iran has begun to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy artery through which a substantial portion of the world’s oil supplies pass.
These events brought immediate relief to global markets, reeling from months of uncertainty and fears of broader regional conflict.
Hours after the signing ceremony, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had 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 also from the entire 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 praised Pakistan for preventing what could have become a devastating regional war.
But perhaps the most striking reaction came from Iran itself. A diplomat stationed in Tehran described the scenes unfolding across the country as “unprecedented”. “Pakistani diplomats and embassy officials are witnessing something that no diplomatic report can fully capture,” the diplomat said. “There is real 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 college campuses to town squares to sports fields to city streets, a climate of optimism seems to have replaced months of anxiety and uncertainty.
Pakistani embassy officials who recently visited Tehran University alongside European diplomats reported overwhelmingly positive feelings towards the peace initiative. What has surprised even seasoned observers is the intensity of public affection for Pakistan.
Sources say that whenever Iranians identify Pakistani nationals in public places, they frequently stop to greet them, hug them and express appreciation for Pakistan’s role during the conflict. “They are chanting slogans in favor of Pakistan and its leaders,” the diplomat said.
“What makes it remarkable is that it is completely spontaneous. There is no organization behind it. It comes from ordinary people.” According to diplomats, this feeling transcends social and economic divisions. Students, workers, traders, factory workers and professionals appear united in their appreciation of Islamabad’s efforts to prevent further bloodshed.
“It is not addressed to an institution or an individual,” observed another source. “This 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 quiet engagement involving multiple regional and international stakeholders. Officials familiar with the process say Pakistan has maintained open contacts with Tehran and Washington throughout the conflict, carefully navigating one of the most sensitive diplomatic environments in recent memory.
On several occasions, the efforts seemed on the verge of collapse. But Pakistani negotiators persisted, convinced that a military solution was neither feasible nor sustainable. Their persistence finally produced results.
In just 10 weeks, Pakistan managed to bring two wartime adversaries to the negotiating table, convincing them to prioritize diplomacy over confrontation. For a country more accustomed to discussing regional crises than resolving them, this achievement marks a significant shift in international perceptions.
It remains to be seen whether the current agreement will ultimately evolve into a comprehensive and lasting settlement.
Challenges undoubtedly lie ahead.
The memorandum itself only provides a framework for future negotiations and its implementation will require sustained commitment from all parties. Yet even critics admit 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 have converged. A few months ago, the idea that Pakistan could broker peace between Iran and the United States would have seemed an implausible fantasy. Today it is part of the historical archives. For Islamabad, this might prove to be the most remarkable aspect of all.
