ISLAMABAD: Weeks of sustained diplomacy and coordinated regional engagement played a key role in securing the US–Iran ceasefire, Pakistan’s ambassador to the United States said.
In an interview with the American broadcaster CNN, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, Pakistan’s ambassador to the United States, said Pakistan played a constructive diplomatic role in facilitating efforts that led to the recent ceasefire and the announcement of negotiations between the United States and Iran.
Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, Pakistan’s ambassador to the US pic.twitter.com/YJpy8SCFVZ
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The ambassador said Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts had been underway for several weeks and culminated in the successful ceasefire and the opening of a path toward dialogue.
“This is a victory of diplomacy and dialogue,” he said, emphasizing that Pakistan has always prioritized positive diplomacy throughout its history.
Ambassador Sheikh expressed gratitude to all parties involved for placing their trust in Pakistan’s role during the process. He said the ceasefire and the start of negotiations were made possible through collective efforts by several countries, including Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, Egypt, Qatar, and China.
He noted that China had consistently urged all sides from the very beginning to exercise restraint and pursue diplomacy as the preferred path forward.
The ambassador added that Pakistan’s top leadership played a direct role in the diplomatic engagement aimed at easing tensions.
Highlighting the sensitive nature of the process, Sheikh said successful negotiations require discretion. He expressed hope that negotiations conducted without external pressure could lead to decisive outcomes, while stressing that the authority to make final decisions rests with the concerned parties.
“Pakistan is merely a facilitator, and we are making sincere efforts in good faith,” he said.
Ambassador Sheikh also pointed to Pakistan’s longstanding relations with Gulf countries, noting that nearly 5.5 million Pakistanis live and work in Gulf states.
He said Pakistan remained in continuous consultation with the leadership of Gulf countries throughout the diplomatic efforts and the ceasefire process.
He expressed hope that the sincere and humble diplomatic initiative would yield positive results, adding that peace and stability in the region would have a beneficial impact not only on the Gulf but also on global politics and the economy.
