Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, said on Wednesday that Islamabad played a constructive diplomatic role in facilitating the US-Iran ceasefire, calling it a triumph of dialogue and engagement.
In an interview with Becky Anderson on CNN, he explained that Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts had been ongoing for weeks and culminated in the successful ceasefire announcement and the launch of negotiations.
“This is a victory of diplomacy and dialogue,” he stated.
He emphasized that Pakistan has consistently prioritised positive diplomacy throughout its history and expressed gratitude to all parties for placing their trust in Islamabad.
“We are grateful to all sides for their confidence in Pakistan,” he said.
The ambassador also highlighted the contributions of regional and global partners, noting that their combined efforts helped secure the ceasefire and pave the way for meaningful talks.
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“We are grateful to Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, Egypt, Qatar, China, and others whose combined efforts made the ceasefire possible and paved the way for dialogue,” he said.
Highlighting China’s role, he added: “From day one, China urged all sides to exercise restraint and pursue diplomacy.”
He noted that Pakistan’s top leadership was directly involved in the diplomatic push, stressing that confidentiality was crucial to the success of negotiations.
“The success of the negotiation process requires discretion. Without external pressure, the chances of a decisive outcome are higher,” he said.
Emphasizing Pakistan’s role, he clarified: “Decisions ultimately rest with the concerned parties. Pakistan is merely a facilitator, making sincere efforts with full integrity.”
Referring to ties with Gulf countries, he highlighted Pakistan’s longstanding relationships and ongoing consultations with Gulf leadership throughout the process.
“Pakistan has deep-rooted connections with the Gulf states, where around 5.5 million Pakistanis reside,” he said.
He expressed hope that the ongoing efforts would yield positive results, noting the wider implications for regional and global stability.
“We hope this sincere and humble effort will be fruitful. Peace and stability in the region will benefit not only the Gulf but also global politics and the economy,” he added.
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