Pakistan wishes them the best and brings good intentions from the entire international community.
In a recent interview with NBC’s Meet the Press, Pakistani Ambassador to the United States Rizwan Saeed Shaikh highlighted key diplomatic efforts surrounding the dispute between Pakistan and Iran. PHOTO: SCREEN CAPTURE
Pakistan’s ambassador to the United States, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, on Saturday expressed hope for a solution, stating that as a facilitator, Pakistan’s role was to bring the United States and Iran together, and stressed that it was now up to the parties involved to find a solution.
“As a facilitator, Pakistan’s role is to bring the warring parties together and allow them to decide what satisfies them or what does not. In diplomacy, we say that at the end of any negotiation, if both sides feel the same measure of comfort or discomfort, then the negotiations are successful because a way forward is found,” he said during his appearance on NBC Meet the press NOW.
Washington and Tehran must begin negotiations to end the six-week war against Iran that has killed thousands of people across the Middle East, disrupted energy supplies, fueled inflation and slowed the global economy.
The Iranian delegation, led by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf, arrived in Pakistan last night. Meanwhile, the American delegation, led by Vice President JD Vance, landed in Islamabad this morning. The US delegation also included key Middle East envoys of President Donald Trump’s administration, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
During an interview, Sheikh further explained that as a facilitator, Pakistan was essentially bringing the parties together and we were ready to offer advice if requested or required, to whatever extent was necessary.
Read: The Israeli army continues its raids in southern Lebanon, killing at least three people in night attacks
“Ultimately, however, it is up to the parties in conflict to find a solution. While we wish them the best, we bring the good intentions of the entire international community,” he said.
Sheikh also mentioned the overwhelming support that Pakistan had received and stated: “Our leadership has been receiving calls (more than 50 calls yesterday) of support. While everyone is watching with bated breath and waiting for a positive outcome, the exact outcome that both sides are seeking will only be known at the end of the process.”
He acknowledged the intense diplomatic efforts that had been made to bring the situation to this stage. “Pakistan, in line with its long tradition of making things happen on the international stage, has certainly played a key role. Our partners, including Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Egypt, have also made significant efforts, as have many other countries, to bring things to this stage,” he said.
Read more: Israeli strike kills at least six people at Gaza police checkpoint, doctors say
The ambassador added: “I believe that the threads for future discussions are present within the talks themselves. Once the parties sit down in Islamabad and discuss the issues in depth, any issues that need to be addressed can be resolved.”
He stressed that it was necessary to fulfill the commitments made during the discussions prior to these talks. “Whether at one point or another, this will certainly have a positive impact, not only on the optics or the completion of the process that has brought us here, but also on the substantive discussions themselves.”
In his closing remarks, Sheikh said: “The constructive spirit with which both sides have approached this process is what matters most, and this will be key as we move forward.”
