"Pakistan has taken on a leading role in the peace efforts between the US and Iran, hosting talks and serving as an intermediary for backchannel diplomacy between the warring parties. For Islamabad, the stakes are high. Officials view stability in the Gulf as closely tied to the country's own economic and security interests. A broader confrontation between the US and Iran could disrupt trade routes, deepen energy pressures, inflame sectarian tensions and further destabilize Pakistan's sensitive border regions with Iran."
"International prestige is also at play for the Pakistani government as they work to end a conflict affecting the entire world. But this also means a risk of reputational damage. "Pakistan risks growing criticism if its efforts to revive US-Iran talks fail, especially after publicly taking a leading mediation role," Michael Kugelman, senior fellow, South Asia, at Washington-based Atlantic Council, told DW. "With talks stalled, Pakistan's options are limited because a mediator cannot force two deeply distrustful sides to negotiate," he added."
""Pakistan is trying its best to engage both parties and views the escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran with grave concern," a senior government official involved in the negotiation process told DW. "We are committed to playing a constructive diplomatic role to support immediate de-escalation and a peaceful resolution in the interest of regional and global security," the official added."
"Earlier this week, a report in US media raised doubt over Pakistan's neutrality in the Iran conflict. Citing unnamed US officials, CBS News reported that Pakistan had allowed Iran to park its aircraft on Pakistani airbases, effectively shielding them from US strikes. Pakistan's Foreign Office immediately responded by calli"
Pakistan hosts and facilitates backchannel diplomacy between the United States and Iran to support de-escalation. Gulf stability is treated as directly linked to Pakistan’s economic and security interests, including trade routes, energy pressures, and sectarian tensions. A wider US-Iran confrontation could further destabilize Pakistan’s border regions with Iran. Pakistan also seeks international prestige by helping resolve a conflict with global impact, while facing reputational risk if mediation efforts fail. US media reports have raised doubts about Pakistan’s neutrality, including claims that Iran used Pakistani airbases to avoid US strikes. Pakistani officials deny misleading allegations and state commitment to constructive diplomacy for peaceful resolution and regional and global security.
Read at www.dw.com
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