By Musawir Qureshi
Moments in global politics when a country successfully guides the world away from the brink of war toward peace are rare. In recent days, Pakistan has played exactly such a role, achieving a major diplomatic breakthrough that led to a two-week temporary ceasefire between Iran and the United States. International media has described this development as an extraordinary diplomatic victory for Pakistan, one that has helped prevent a major confrontation not only in the region but across the world.
According to recent reports, U.S. President Donald Trump announced the suspension of further strikes against Iran, while Iran also accepted the temporary ceasefire, paving the way for a reduction in global tensions. This ceasefire became possible due to Pakistan’s sustained diplomatic efforts, in which Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the country’s military leadership played key roles.
An important aspect of this development is that after the ceasefire, Islamabad was selected as the central venue for further negotiations. Reports indicate that additional talks between Iran and the United States are expected to take place in Islamabad on April 10, which is being viewed as a significant step toward achieving lasting peace.
One of the major conditions of the ceasefire was the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial route for global oil transportation. Reports suggest that Iran agreed to temporarily reopen this route, which generated a positive response in international markets and raised hopes for stabilization in oil prices.
It is worth noting that approximately 20 percent of the world’s oil supply passes through this route, and its closure had posed serious risks to the global economy.
During the ceasefire efforts, another significant issue remained the attacks on industrial and oil installations in Saudi Arabia. Reports suggested that incidents targeting Saudi industrial centers created concerns that the negotiation process could become more complicated.
This situation also posed a challenge for Pakistan, given its close defense and diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia. Despite these sensitivities, Pakistan adopted a balanced policy, continuing efforts not only to support Saudi Arabia but also to bring Iran to the negotiating table.
Pakistan’s diplomatic achievement has been widely appreciated at the global level. Various international leaders and institutions praised Pakistan’s efforts, describing them as a positive example of promoting peace in the region. According to global observers, if these negotiations succeed, Pakistan may emerge as an important mediator in resolving international conflicts in the future.
Meanwhile, criticism also emerged within the United States regarding the war and its strategic handling, with certain political circles questioning wartime decisions and delays in diplomatic engagement.
This is not the first time that Islamabad has served as a hub of international diplomacy, but recent developments have once again placed it at the center of global attention. If the Islamabad negotiations succeed, it may become possible to lay the foundation for a permanent peace agreement, informally being referred to by some observers as the “Islamabad Accord.”
Under this proposed framework, efforts will not only focus on making the ceasefire permanent but will also address issues related to energy security, economic stability, and regional safety.
Pakistan has played the role of mediator on several occasions in the past, but its success in the current crisis has further strengthened its image as a peace-loving nation. If this process moves forward successfully, Pakistan may emerge not only as a regional power but also as a responsible and influential state at the global level.
It must also be acknowledged that if this war had continued, it could have caused irreversible damage not only to the Middle East but also to South Asia and the global economy. Under such circumstances, Pakistan’s diplomatic success played a crucial role in helping avert a potential global disaster.
The two-week ceasefire between Iran and the United States is not merely a temporary pause but a valuable opportunity that can be transformed into lasting peace. Throughout this process, Pakistan has acted as a messenger of peace, choosing diplomacy even under the most difficult circumstances.
If the talks scheduled for April 10 in Islamabad prove successful, it may become a historic moment not only for Pakistan but for the entire world—a moment when the light of peace prevailed over the shadow of war.
