In just under 10 weeks, Pakistan managed to bring two war opponents to the negotiating table and it 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 emerge as the main 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.
Yet that is exactly what unfolded.
For Pakistan, the signing of the Iran-US Interim Agreement represents a diplomatic achievement of historic dimension, one that is already being described by officials as one of the country’s most significant foreign policy successes in decades.
“Right from day one, our goal was simple: to extinguish the flames of war,” a senior Pakistani official told The Express Pakinomist on condition of anonymity. “God willing, we have reached that milestone. There was a time when the region seemed headed for disaster. Today there is hope,” the official added.
The formal signing ceremony was originally planned to take place in the Swiss resort town of Bürgenstock on Friday. But diplomatic sources said both US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian eventually digitally signed the memorandum, a move later endorsed 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 moved to lift its naval blockade measures while Iran began reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy artery through which a significant portion of the world’s oil supplies pass.
The development provided immediate relief to global markets, which had been rattled by months of uncertainty and fears of a wider regional conflict.
A few hours after 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 garnered praise not only from regional capitals but from the entire international community. President Trump has publicly acknowledged Islamabad’s contribution to peace efforts on several occasions, while diplomatic sources say several European governments and the Gulf states have praised Pakistan for averting 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 sparked spontaneous celebrations in various parts of the country. From college campuses and public squares to sports fields 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 with European diplomats reported overwhelmingly positive sentiments toward the peace initiative. What has surprised even seasoned observers is the intensity of public affection shown towards Pakistan.
Sources say that whenever Iranians identify Pakistani nationals in public places, they often stop to greet them, embrace them and express appreciation for Pakistan’s role during the conflict. “They are chanting slogans in favor of Pakistan and its leadership,” the diplomat said.
“What makes it remarkable is that it is completely spontaneous. There is no organization behind it. It comes from ordinary people.” The feeling, diplomats say, cuts across social and economic divides. Students, workers, shopkeepers, factory workers and professionals seem united in their appreciation of Islamabad’s efforts to prevent further bloodshed.
“It’s not targeting one institution or one person,” another source noted. “It reflects a wider recognition that Pakistan remained engaged when many others believed that 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 collapsing. But Pakistani negotiators persisted, convinced that a military solution was neither achievable nor sustainable. Their persistence eventually paid off.
In just under 10 weeks, Pakistan managed to bring two belligerents to the negotiating table and convince them to pursue diplomacy over confrontation. For a country more used to being discussed in connection with regional crises than solving them, the achievement marks a significant shift in international perceptions.
Whether the current agreement ultimately develops into a comprehensive and lasting settlement remains to be seen.
Challenges undoubtedly lie ahead.
The memorandum itself only provides 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 where preparation, opportunity and leadership came together. A few months ago, the idea of Pakistan brokering peace between Iran and the US would have sounded like an unlikely fantasy. Today it is part of the historical record. For Islamabad, that may prove to be the most remarkable aspect of all.
