A consequential diplomatic moment for Pakistan

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A significant diplomatic development has taken place in Islamabad. The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkiye visited at the invitation of Pakistan’s foreign minister to coordinate positions ahead of anticipated US–Iran talks and to signal regional solidarity earlier this week. This was the second meeting of the quadrilateral group in two weeks, following earlier consultations in Riyadh in mid-March. It also followed a period of active diplomacy, with Islamabad engaging both Tehran and Washington to urge restraint in a conflict where the costs are likely to outweigh any gains.

The effort to “tame Iran” has already imposed considerable costs. Despite cautionary advice from Gulf states, the conflict has led to loss of life, damage to infrastructure and rising global uncertainty. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has disrupted energy markets, unsettled stock exchanges and weakened business confidence. Travel, hospitality and maritime trade have all been affected. The consequences of this crisis continue to unfold, reinforcing the urgency of de-escalation. In this context, Pakistan’s push for dialogue has found resonance in the region, and there are indications of limited appetite within the United States for a prolonged confrontation.

Why has Pakistan emerged as a potential mediator, and why has it taken on this role? It maintains close ties with Gulf countries, particularly Saudi Arabia, while also retaining working relations with both Iran and the United States. Its 900 km border with Iran and geographic proximity to the Strait of Hormuz place it directly within the strategic and economic fallout of the conflict. Pakistan also depends on energy imports from the Gulf and has a large workforce in the region. These factors make it both a stakeholder and a plausible interlocutor, despite the obvious challenges.

Those challenges are substantial. A deep trust deficit exists between the parties, reflected in their initial negotiating positions. Direct communication remains limited, with messages often conveyed through intermediaries. Relations between Iran and its Gulf neighbors have also deteriorated, further complicated by the disruption in Hormuz. Rebuilding confidence on multiple fronts will be a difficult and time-consuming process.

Pakistan has once again positioned itself as an advocate for dialogue at a time of heightened tension. Javed Hafeez

Pakistan has once again positioned itself as an advocate for dialogue at a time of heightened tension.

The quadrilateral meeting in Islamabad carried both symbolic and strategic significance. Beyond demonstrating political alignment, it reflected a growing view in the region that closer coordination among regional states is necessary to manage security risks and reduce dependence on external interventions. Instability in this region has global consequences, given its central role in energy supply and trade. There is increasing discussion around the need for a more locally driven security framework to prevent further escalation.

Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states have so far exercised restraint despite repeated provocations. The Strait of Hormuz remains their primary trade artery, currently operating at a fraction of its normal capacity. Iran’s attempt to assert control over the Strait raises complex legal and strategic questions. As an international waterway, Hormuz is governed by established principles of navigation, including the right of passage. Comparisons with the Suez Canal are not entirely applicable, given the differing legal and historical contexts.

Recent developments also challenge earlier narratives of Pakistan’s diplomatic isolation. The participation and support of key regional actors such as Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Egypt underscore its continued relevance in regional diplomacy. Pakistan has once again positioned itself as an advocate for dialogue at a time of heightened tension.

Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also traveled to Beijing to brief Chinese leadership on the outcomes of the Islamabad meeting. The immediate priority should be de-escalation, followed by a temporary ceasefire to allow space for meaningful negotiations. The international community, for its part, should discourage the use of strategic chokepoints such as Hormuz as leverage in the conflict.

Pakistan’s diplomatic initiative has garnered support, but its outcome remains uncertain. What is clear, however, is that it has stepped forward at a critical moment, seeking to create space for dialogue in a rapidly escalating crisis.

-Javed Hafeez is a former Pakistani diplomat with much experience of the Middle East. He writes weekly columns in Pakistani and Gulf newspapers and appears regularly on satellite TV channels as a defense and political analyst. X: @JavedHafiz8

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