Pakistan, the world’s only Muslim nuclear power, has traditionally been an international sideshow. No longer. The country has reportedly been passing messages between Washington and Tehran in efforts to bring an end to the Iran war. It is has a five-point plan aimed at restoring “peace and stability” across the region. How have the Pakistanis pulled off this remarkable diplomatic makeover?

The answer starts with some critical decisions the Pakistanis took last year. After the four-day armed conflict between Pakistan and India in May 2025, both sides claimed “victory”. But crucially Islamabad publicly acknowledged Washington’s role in achieving a ceasefire (something India refused to do). Pakistan later nominated President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize. Both moves were part of a carefully orchestrated Pakistani charm campaign to stroke Trump’s ego.

Pakistan has also been wooing important figures in Trump’s orbit, including special envoy, Steve Witkoff, and the president’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, by mixing business with geopolitics. There have been reports of discussions on investment opportunities and a crypto-deal with a Trump family-linked business as well as on security issues. Witkoff, a real estate developer, is said to have brokered an unusual deal between the American........

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