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[quote=Anonymous]Here's an article from Pakistan's largest English paper Dawn, which was started under British rule.

‘Biggest diplomatic win in years’: Pakistan’s quiet role in US-Iran ceasefire
[url]https://www.dawn.com/news/1989780/biggest-diplomatic-win-in-years-pakistans-quiet-role-in-us-iran-ceasefire[/url]

More than two weeks of intense, largely unseen diplomacy preceded the announcement that the United States and Iran have agreed to observe a two-week ceasefire, diplomatic observers told Dawn — a breakthrough they say would not have been possible without sustained mediation by Pakistan.

Islamabad moved quickly after the conflict erupted on Feb 28. Within days of the first strikes, Pakistani officials began activating diplomatic channels across multiple capitals. While publicly maintaining neutrality, Pakistan quietly positioned itself as a bridge between Washington and Tehran — two adversaries that do not maintain direct diplomatic relations. Pakistan represents Iran’s interests in Washington, giving it a rare institutional foothold in both capitals.

“Why has Pakistan remained front and center in a high-stakes and high-risk US-Iran peace facilitation effort?” asked Michael Kugelman, a Washington-based scholar of South Asian affairs. “Strong ties with all key players, trust from the White House, ongoing direct engagements with Iran, and buy-in from Pakistan’s ally China,” he said, noting that Beijing holds significant leverage with Tehran.

Kugelman argued that Islamabad also had compelling reasons to step forward. “It is especially vulnerable to the conflict’s effects. It doesn’t want to get dragged into the conflict and has strategic interests in showcasing its agency as an influential regional actor,” he added.

For Islamabad, however, the ceasefire already marks a significant diplomatic achievement — demonstrating that sustained engagement, even when conducted largely out of public view, can alter the trajectory of a fast-moving regional crisis.

[twitter]https://x.com/MichaelKugelman/status/2041700994090770813[/twitter][/quote]

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