Pakistan enjoys new glory

ISLAMABAD:

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

The White House confirmed that Vice President JD Vance would travel to Pakistan on Saturday for the negotiations, accompanied by high-ranking envoys. Iran is expected to send Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf alongside Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi.

Pakistan negotiated a 15-day ceasefire on Wednesday after a tense 40-day conflict between the United States and Iran, during which Islamabad maintained a careful balance, avoiding aligning with either side while working quietly to open avenues for de-escalation and dialogue.

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

Pakistan has been “blessed with a rare honor” by helping to calm a conflict that threatened to spread far beyond the region,” he told cabinet members, who greeted him with a standing ovation as he underlined the importance of the breakthrough.

“This reflects the collective efforts and prayers of the nation, as well as the leadership’s commitment to preventing escalation between brotherly countries,” he said, emphasizing 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 double appeal helped trigger 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 avoid further escalation.

Building on this momentum, the prime minister issued a formal invitation to both sides to meet in Islamabad, paving the way for what he called the “Islamabad talks” aimed at reaching a “conclusive agreement” to resolve long-standing differences.

“I warmly welcome this sagacious gesture and express my deepest gratitude to the leaders of both countries,” he said, adding, “We sincerely hope that the Islamabad talks will result in lasting peace and wish to share more good news in the days to come.”

Confirmation from the White House followed quickly, with officials announcing that a U.S. negotiating team led by Vice President JD Vance would travel to Pakistan, accompanied by high-ranking envoys, for in-person discussions expected to begin Saturday morning local time.

Iran, grappling with the loss of several top leaders in the conflict, is expected to send a high-level delegation led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf alongside Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, signaling the seriousness with which Tehran is approaching negotiations.

During the diplomatic opening, important issues will be discussed. U.S. officials said the negotiations would take place behind closed doors and stressed that Washington’s main demands had not changed, even though Washington had agreed to a temporary suspension of military operations.

President Trump, who had previously threatened serious consequences, acknowledged Pakistan’s intervention to delay military action, linking the pause to assurances sought from Islamabad and Tehran, particularly regarding maritime security in the Gulf.

In Pakistan, preparations to host the talks have shifted into high gear, transforming Islamabad into a tightly controlled diplomatic enclave as authorities deployed sweeping security and administrative measures.

A two-day public holiday was announced on 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.

Specialist 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 countries which have a long history of hostility.

A five-star hotel located in the red zone has been designated to accommodate visiting delegations, with law enforcement taking full control of its security. Existing guests were asked to vacate the premises to make way for official use.

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

Authorities ordered entry to the red zone to be closed during key phases of the talks, with access strictly limited to authorized individuals subject to extensive security and vetting procedures.

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

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

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

The Prime Minister also acknowledged the role of friendly countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Turkey, Indonesia, Egypt, Azerbaijan, UAE and China, for supporting Pakistan’s peace initiative at a critical time.

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 the long-standing ties between the two countries.

He stressed that the ceasefire represented only a first step, warning that a sustained diplomatic effort would be needed to translate the temporary pause into a lasting settlement capable of resolving underlying tensions.

“The flames of conflict, which threatened to spread across the region for more than a month, have been contained for two weeks,” he said, expressing hope that this window will 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 protect citizens from external shocks.

He expressed gratitude to President Asif Zardari, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Pakistan People’s Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, as well as coalition partners and provincial leaders, for their support during this critical period.

The Prime Minister stressed that the diplomatic success belonged to the entire nation, from workers and farmers to professionals and civil servants, describing it as a collective achievement that had elevated Pakistan’s standing in the world.

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

Later, while expressing concerns over ceasefire violation in some places, Shehbaz appealed to all parties to respect the ceasefire. “Ceasefire violations have been reported in a few places in the conflict zone, which undermines the spirit of the peace process,” he wrote on X.

“I sincerely urge all parties to exercise restraint and respect the two-week ceasefire, as agreed, so that diplomacy can play a leading role towards a peaceful resolution of the conflict,” the Prime Minister added.

(WITH CONCLUSION FROM NAEEM ASGHAR AND AGENCIES)