Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has stepped forward as a peacemaker to help secure a ceasefire with Iran. Pakistan borders Iran, and it is a close friend of the US. Pakistan’s prime minister has worked with the Trump administration and is considered to have warm ties with the White House. This enabled Pakistan to play a role in the peace talks.
The role of Islamabad is important. It shows the growing role of countries in the regions of South Asia and West Asia. Pakistan is also very close to China. This is, therefore, an important bridge between East and West. Unlike India's much larger economy, Pakistan has often been overshadowed in recent decades. This is partly because the country has trouble keeping a lid on internal chaos.
Pakistan has also struggled to remain a democracy, having had coups and military rule over the last century. Pakistan also has a complex relationship with its neighbors. It has backed extremists against India, and it has also backed the Taliban in the past and is now fighting with Taliban-run Afghanistan.
Thus, Pakistan is not a great peacemaker in its own border regions. It also has a Baloch insurgency to deal with in the large Balochistan region near Iran. There are many Baloch in Iran as well, meaning any weakening of Iran can lead to chaos for Pakistan.
Sharif wrote on X that “as we proceed to Islamabad Talks, I wish to extend our deepest and sincere gratitude to our brotherly countries People’s Republic of China, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Republic of Türkiye, Arab Republic of Egypt and State of Qatar for extending invaluable and all out support towards reaching the ceasefire and giving peaceful diplomatic efforts a chance to seek a comprehensive and conclusive end to the conflict.”
He also said, “I would also like to deeply appreciate and thank our brotherly countries of Gulf Cooperation Council, whose consistent support and commitment to peace and stability in the region remains quintessential for our efforts.”
Pakistan has close ties with the Gulf. It also has a growing alliance and defense pact with Saudi Arabia. This is part of how countries in South Asia are closely linked to the Gulf. “The leadership of all our brotherly countries and United States of America demonstrated exceptional strategic foresight, sagacity and patience in giving peace a chance,” the Pakistan Prime Minister said.
“I also thank all our partners and friends across the globe who have reached out and acknowledged Pakistan’s sincere efforts for the global peace. Let us all work together to forge a lasting peace in the region and beyond,” he added.
Other nearby states join Pakistan's efforts
As Pakistan steps forward as a peacemaker, it is joined by Turkey, Qatar, China, and other countries. Turkey, Qatar, and Pakistan are all close friends of the US. Turkey and Qatar are allies of Washington. These countries want to see the chaos of the Iran war end. They want to see an agreement. They are also concerned about how the US and Israel appeared to rush into this war.
Doha, Ankara, and Islamabad are all critical of Israel’s role, and they worry that Israel has dragged the region into more instability. As such, Islamabad will want to raise its profile to try to get to a peace deal. Doing this will also carry risk. If the deal fails, then Pakistan will look bad. This will cause a loss of pride and honor in a country that takes these issues very seriously. Islamabad will not want to be betrayed.
Oman, which played a key role in the Iran-US talks in June and February, felt betrayed. It believes that the US and Israel rushed to war and basically deceived Oman and Iran. As such, Oman felt burned by the war.
Pakistan is therefore now carrying the risk. It has apparently reached out to US Vice-President JD Vance because he is seen as reliable and as a possible skeptic about the war. Iran believes it was deceived by other US mediators. It remains to be seen if Pakistan can build the trust needed for peace.