ON 24 March 2026, Pakistan entered a select group of nations, which have the clout and credibility, to initiate efforts towards the resolution of the US-Israel vs Iran conflict.

A quadrilateral meeting between the foreign Ministers of four regional powers took place in Islamabad. The four regional powers were Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt and the host Pakistan. March 29th’s meeting only marks the beginning of a very initial and complex process. Pakistan has been able to achieve the position by steadily maintaining its principled position. Pakistan has throughout opposed war; stood by international law and the law based international world order. Pakistan has condemned the unjustified and illegal attack on Iran, yet maintained diplomatic support with all states which can influence the outcome of the war. Many of these states have diverging opinions about the conflict. Since the beginning of the conflict, Pakistan unlike many other nations, has eschewed the role of either being a partisan in the conflict or that of being completely aloof and indifferent. From the outset Pakistan has urged for a just, legal and non-kinetic solution for the end of the conflict. Pakistan has thus been successful in functioning in a state of delicate and difficult diplomacy.

Pakistan as an arbitrator has won the confidence of Iran, our neighbor, Saudi Arabia with whom we have a defence pact and the US, the Sole Superpower of the world today. The reason for the unique diplomatic success of Pakistan is, anchoring its position to international order and inviolability of national sovereignty of any state. Pakistan consistently and from the outset invoked the UN charter, stressing that violence could not force negotiations. Islamabad in this tight rope walking supported two UNSC resolutions, criticizing the original aggressors attacking Iran without any justification, and also Iran’s attacks on GCC territories. This move gave Pakistan credibility with both Iran as well as the GCC countries. This also gave Pakistan access to wider diplomatic engagement. Diplomacy is, however, also inseparable from battlefield reality. The present scope for democracy emerged, because Iran by its effective and fearless resistance upset initial calculations of a quick win and complete capitulation of Iran. The US remains fully aligned with Israel, but certain factors have inclined it towards a quick pull-out from the conflict. Israel, it seems, wants to stay in the war till further weakening of the Iranian State. It can thus play the role of a spoiler in the peace negotiations at any stage.

The US is cognizant of the fact that a prolonged war will put pressure on Gulf shipping and energy markets, thus increasing regional instability. Iran despite massive bombing by the US – Israeli combine has retained its retaliatory capacity, to not only hit Israel hard but also strike US bases in the GCC countries. Iran has shown tremendous resistance and strategic patience, which has upset the original calculations of the attackers. Pakistan seems to have understood this contradiction in the calculus of the US who initially believed in a military solution, but are now willing to get a diplomatic ramp-off when military means start generating unexpected and broader consequences.

The simple fact, that Pakistan can maintain meaningful communications simultaneously with Tehran, Riyadh, Gulf Countries, Beijing and Washington, speaks volumes about the success of Pakistan’s foreign policy. Pakistan’s ties with Saudi Arabia are of strategic nature. Similarly, Pakistan’s ties with Iran are also deep and important, the relations are also publicly valued by Iran. This gives Pakistan diplomatic reach which very few nations possess. It thus makes Pakistan a natural mediator in the international conflict. This conflict thus becomes very serious as the stakes are no longer confined to one battlefield. About 1/5th of globally traded oil moves through the Strait of Hormuz. Any prolonged confrontation threatens energy prices, and shipping security, especially for already fragile regional economies.

The mission for peace which Pakistan has undertaken, is no doubt a difficult challenge. There is unpredictability and pitfalls at every stage. This is especially true with a fickle minded Person like Trump heading the US and an unscrupulous mass-murderer presiding over Israel. Pakistan is still offering valuable service by keeping the channels of peace open. As the US – Israel attacked Iran twice while negotiations were going on, so it is only natural for Iran to be skeptical of carrying out negotiations with the US for the 3rd time without any guarantees. For some kind of a guarantor to be given to Iran, a nation of major heft seems to be required. It is not difficult to surmise that China certainly fits that bill.

It was thus no coincidence that Pakistan’s Deputy PM and foreign Minister soon after the quadrilateral foreign ministers meeting left for China. The Chinese Foreign minister strongly supported Pakistan’s efforts, and helped draw a five point initial draft with Pakistan, to help bring peace between the belligerent sides. Irrespective of the fact whether immediate progress follows these efforts or not, this is certainly a worthwhile endeavor by Pakistan. The peace efforts are a part of a larger process whose success the region and the whole world needs urgently. No military campaign can be a substitute for political resolution of a conflict.

—The writer, based in Islamabad, is a former Health Minister of KP.

© Pakistan Observer