ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan’s quiet but intense diplomatic efforts played a central role in preventing a potentially devastating regional conflict between Muslim countries, security sources revealed Tuesday, as preparations enter the final stages for the signing of a historic peace deal between Iran and the United States in Switzerland later this week.
In a briefing with journalists, senior security officials offered a rare insight into Islamabad’s role in facilitating diplomacy between the two long-time adversaries, while maintaining strict confidentiality over the contents of the deal and future negotiations.
The briefing took place days before the official signing ceremony scheduled for June 19 in Switzerland, during which representatives of Iran and the United States are expected to formally approve “a historic agreement” aimed at ending months of escalating tensions and reducing the risk of a broader conflict in the Middle East.
Security sources said Pakistan’s involvement was not driven by narrow geopolitical interests but a broader goal of ensuring regional stability and preserving unity within the Muslim world.
According to officials, Pakistan’s civilian and military leadership remained in touch with all relevant stakeholders throughout the crisis and worked quietly behind the scenes to prevent a conflict that could have engulfed the entire region.
“Through consultation and cooperation with all key stakeholders, Pakistan helped save the region from a major war that was to be imposed and which would have led to serious consequences,” a senior security source told reporters.
Officials particularly highlighted the role played by Field Marshal Asim Munir, describing the diplomatic effort as an example of strategic success achieved without military confrontation. “It is a war won thanks to sincerity, competence, genius and the blessings of Allah for the greater good of humanity, without having actually been fought. It is the pinnacle of strategy,” remarked a security source.
While highlighting Pakistan’s contribution, officials repeatedly cautioned against speculation about the content of the ongoing negotiations, saying the diplomatic process remained sensitive and required discretion. “As a responsible mediator, Pakistan cannot afford to speculate. We will not discuss the content of the negotiations or what will follow,” the source said.
Officials acknowledged that attempts to derail the peace process could continue even after the deal is signed. “Troublemakers and detractors will continue to try to sabotage peace efforts, but Pakistan will continue to work with its partners with utmost sincerity to pursue peace,” a source said.
The briefing also praised several Muslim countries, particularly Saudi Arabia, for helping to create conditions conducive to dialogue. Officials praised Riyadh’s leadership, restraint and strategic patience during a period of heightened regional tensions.
“Much credit goes to Muslim countries, particularly Saudi Arabia, who demonstrated leadership, restraint and strategic patience to help avoid a war that could have engulfed the region and pitted Muslims against each other,” the source said.
Security officials have also defended Pakistan’s growing military diplomacy and engagement with friendly countries, arguing that such relations should not be viewed through a narrow lens. “Military diplomacy and relations with friendly countries are part of broader national and political interests. They cannot be considered in isolation,” the source added, responding to a question about the recent visit of the Lebanese army chief.
During the press briefing, security sources said terrorism and Afghanistan had become “inseparable realities” in the current regional environment. They said security and law enforcement agencies have carried out 32,092 intelligence and counter-terrorism operations across the country this year as part of an intensified campaign against militant groups.
The sources claimed that 2,170 terrorist incidents took place with the support and backing of the Afghan Taliban regime. As a result of these operations, 1,861 terrorists were killed, while 640 Pakistani security personnel lost their lives in the line of duty.
“The statistics clearly demonstrate how Fitna al-Khawarij and Fitna al-Hindustan, operating under the patronage of the Afghan Taliban regime, have become major threats to Pakistan’s national security,” the source said.
Defending Pakistan’s engagement with Kabul, the official said Islamabad’s diplomatic contacts with Afghanistan had remained transparent and structured, focused on a single basic demand: an immediate end to support, facilitation and shelter provided to terrorist groups.
The official said Pakistan continued dialogue with the current Afghan administration from 2021 to 2025 through multiple channels with the aim of resolving differences peacefully. However, these efforts have not yielded significant results due to what Islamabad sees as the Taliban regime’s continued reluctance to act against terrorist organizations operating from Afghan soil.
“The Afghan Taliban have repeatedly demonstrated a lack of seriousness in preventing the use of Afghan territory for terrorist purposes and ending their support for militant groups,” the official said. As a result, Pakistan ultimately decided to target terrorist hideouts across the border, the official revealed, insisting that all cross-border military and air operations were carried out with “extreme precision” and based on credible intelligence.
The official also launched a scathing criticism of the Taliban administration, accusing it of showing little respect for human rights, particularly the rights of women and children.
After decades of engagement with the Taliban movement, Pakistan has come to the conclusion that the current regime is determined to uphold what the official described as a distorted interpretation of Islam.
“The regime’s irresponsible and violent behavior leaves little room for meaningful diplomatic engagement,” the official remarked, adding that Pakistan’s only demand remained the dismantling of terrorist infrastructure and an end to all forms of support, sanctuary and facilitation for militants operating against Pakistan.
Kashmir remains a central issue
During the briefing, the officials also discussed developments in Kashmir, reiterating Pakistan’s long-standing position on the disputed territory. Security sources described Kashmir as “the unfinished agenda of Partition” and stressed that the dispute remained central to regional peace and stability.
The officials recalled that the 1948 conflict was fought jointly by Pakistani forces, Kashmiri fighters and tribal volunteers, while noting that multiple wars and military clashes had since taken place in the territory.
According to security sources, India’s efforts to promote development projects and economic incentives in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) would not change the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. “Development schemes and subsidies cannot buy the sentiments of the people of Kashmir,” a source said.
The officials further argued that demographic changes and legal measures introduced by India could not extinguish Kashmiris’ right to self-determination. Security sources described the occupied territory as one of the most militarized regions in the world and stressed that public frustration remained widespread in the IIOJK despite Delhi’s claims of normalcy.
Concerns over unrest in AJK
The officials also accused India of trying to create instability in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) to divert attention from challenges in the occupied territory. Addressing the recent unrest in AJK, security officials defended the government’s handling of the protests and accused some groups of pursuing agendas beyond legitimate public demands.
According to the briefing paper, authorities first engaged in dialogue with protest groups and attempted to address concerns through democratic means. Officials said elements of the movement have since revealed goals that went beyond questions of public welfare.
“The government has always adopted a democratic and conciliatory approach. However, certain elements have instead chosen violence, arson and confrontation,” said a security source. Officials stressed that no group would be allowed to challenge state orders by force and warned that any attempt to exploit public issues for external purposes would be punished by law.
The security sources also defended the constitutional framework governing refugee representation and other political arrangements related to the Kashmir conflict, saying these issues could not be changed through coercion.
Water security and the Indus Treaty
The security sources recalled the National Security Committee (NSC) statement issued on April 24, 2025, which described water as a vital national interest and pledged to protect it across the entire spectrum of national power.
Officials argued that Pakistan’s economy, agriculture and food security were deeply dependent on water resources, making the issue a matter of national survival. “The economic and social fabric of Pakistan is closely linked to water, agriculture and food security. Whatever needs to be done to protect these interests will be done,” a security source said.
While emphasizing Pakistan’s military preparedness, the officials said Islamabad had simultaneously launched a strong diplomatic and legal campaign against Indian violations of the treaty. At the same time, security sources have recognized the need for better domestic water management.
“Regardless of its military capabilities, Pakistan must invest in water conservation, storage facilities, canals and improved regulatory structures,” the official said, adding that Indian rhetoric regarding water was largely driven by domestic political considerations and efforts to fuel anti-Pakistan narratives.
In a thorough assessment of bilateral relations, the sources said India had failed to achieve its objectives, both militarily and diplomatically, in the wake of ‘Marka-e-Haq’, and was now increasingly relying on water-related rhetoric for its political messages.
