Pakistan’s secret diplomacy leads to ceasefire breakthrough

Pakistan’s behind-the-scenes diplomatic efforts have emerged as a key factor in securing a ceasefire between the United States and Iran after months of escalating tensions and conflict.

According to officials familiar with the developments, Islamabad had been quietly working to bridge the gap between Washington and Tehran since mid-2025, following the earlier Iran-Israel conflict. Despite repeated setbacks, Pakistani authorities continued to pursue dialogue through discreet channels.

A significant breakthrough came after high-level engagement involving Shehbaz Sharif and military leadership, including Field Marshal Asim Munir. Their efforts helped establish trust with both sides, enabling Pakistan to act as a credible intermediary.

Officials revealed that Pakistan had even shared a draft proposal with the US, suggesting Iran commit to not pursuing nuclear weapons in exchange for sanctions relief. However, disagreements over Iran’s ballistic missile programme stalled progress at the time.

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As hostilities intensified earlier this year, Pakistan reopened communication lines, working alongside parallel efforts in the region to prevent further escalation. Despite challenges — including pressure from Gulf allies and rising mistrust between the US and Iran — Islamabad maintained its diplomatic push.

At one point, planned talks in Islamabad between US and Iranian officials were postponed multiple times due to deepening distrust. However, Pakistan persisted, warning all sides of the catastrophic consequences if the conflict continued.

A critical moment came when Iran’s strikes on Gulf infrastructure risked derailing diplomacy entirely. Pakistan issued strong warnings, both publicly and privately, urging restraint and emphasising the narrow window for peace.

These efforts ultimately contributed to the ceasefire announcement, marking a major diplomatic achievement for Pakistan on the global stage. Officials caution, however, that while the breakthrough is significant, sustained engagement will be essential to secure a lasting peace.