WASHINGTON(National Times)- Pakistan\u2019s mediation that helped bring about a temporary US\u2013Iran ceasefire has drawn global attention, with Islamabad\u2019s envoy to Washington, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, reiterating that the breakthrough was the result of \u201can intense diplomatic effort that was in progress over the past few weeks.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He said Pakistan\u2019s role was underpinned by trust from all sides, careful consultations, and a commitment to discretion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The interview with CNN on Wednesday came as Washington announced dispatching a high\u2011level negotiating team led by Vice President J.D. Vance to Islamabad to begin formal talks on ending hostilities following the ceasefire announced early Wednesday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
China\u2019s quiet but crucial role
While Ambassador Sheikh did not map out specific country roles in detail, he acknowledged Beijing\u2019s constructive stance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cChina, from the very start, has also been mentioning the exercise of restraint and affording space for diplomacy to both sides,\u201d he told CNN \u2014 a comment that aligns with broader diplomatic signals that China used its leverage with Tehran to encourage Iran to engage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Analysts believe China\u2019s assurance to Iran that the ceasefire would endure helped persuade Tehran to agree to the pause in fighting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Iran\u2019s initial conditions for talks reportedly included a requirement for such external assurances and confidence that a ceasefire would not be fleeting before substantial dialogue could begin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
US engagement
The United States \u2014 previously on the brink of a major military escalation \u2014 agreed to a two\u2011week ceasefire after sustained back\u2011channel engagement supported by Islamabad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
President Trump\u2019s announcement early Wednesday came just hours before a self\u2011imposed ultimatum for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a vital energy artery for global markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ambassador Sheikh emphasised Pakistan\u2019s intermediary role while noting diplomatic realities: \u201cPakistan is just a facilitator, and we are trying to do it in all earnestness and in all faithfulness.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He underscored the need for confidentiality in the process, saying, \u201cI believe the success of this process would lie in secrecy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
GCC, Saudi Arabia and regional consultations
A significant, though sometimes understated, dimension of Islamabad\u2019s diplomacy was its close coordination with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, particularly Saudi Arabia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sheikh pointed to Pakistan\u2019s longstanding ties with Gulf capitals, including its massive expatriate population \u2014 \u201cmore than five and a half million\u2026 in the GCC region only\u201d \u2014 and said these partners were \u201cconsulted at commensurate levels\u201d throughout the effort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This consultation reportedly occurred even during the most intense phases of the conflict, with Islamabad engaging Gulf counterparts \u201cmore than once or twice a day,\u201d according to the ambassador.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While Riyadh\u2019s direct role in negotiations has not been publicly detailed, Saudi coordination was broadly seen as key in balancing regional dynamics amid the crisis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sheikh said the ceasefire was only the first step, and the real diplomatic work will unfold in the upcoming talks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe content of the discussions that has to take place will now have its own dynamic\u2026 whatever is to be offered, whatever is to be guaranteed,\u201d he said, highlighting the fluid nature of any future agreements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He also reiterated why confidentiality was vital in such a fragile context: \u201cThe conflicting parties\u2026 need to be afforded enough space void of any pressures,\u201d he said, stressing that secrecy on substance would help the adversaries reach decisions without external interference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Global impact and Pakistan\u2019s standing
The ceasefire \u2014 though temporary \u2014 has had immediate effects on global markets and energy prices easing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Islamabad has sought to portray itself as a reliable mediator capable of bridging estranged capitals at a critical moment, even as many diplomatic questions remain unresolved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the world watches the negotiating teams converge in Islamabad later this week, the ambassador\u2019s comments signal Pakistan\u2019s intention to remain at the centre of efforts to turn a fragile truce into a lasting diplomatic framework.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
WASHINGTON(National Times)- Pakistan\u2019s mediation that helped bring about a temporary US\u2013Iran ceasefire has drawn global attention, with Islamabad\u2019s envoy to Washington, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, reiterating that the breakthrough was the result of \u201can intense diplomatic effort that was in progress over the past few weeks.\u201d He said Pakistan\u2019s role was underpinned by trust from all […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":123946,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-123945","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-latest_news","entry"],"yoast_head":"\n