Pakistan is tonight at the heart of one of the most consequential diplomatic efforts in the world, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif wants the world to know it. In a post on X, the prime minister welcomed US President Donald Trump's decision to extend the Iran ceasefire-hours before it was due to expire-saying the extension came directly at Pakistan's request, and personally thanking Trump on his own behalf and on behalf of Field Marshal Asim Munir for agreeing to keep the fragile truce alive. It is a moment that underscores just how central Islamabad has become to this crisis
a country that first brokered the original two-week ceasefire after six weeks of escalating conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran, and is now the only venue both sides have agreed to return to for talks. Shehbaz expressed confidence in the process, saying Pakistan would continue its earnest efforts toward a negotiated settlement, and voiced hope that both sides would observe the ceasefire and use the second round of Islamabad talks to conclude what he called a comprehensive peace deal-a permanent end to the conflict. Trump, for his part, said the extension was granted to allow diplomatic efforts to continue and to give Tehran time to prepare a unified proposal
a signal that Washington, despite its naval blockade and hardline public posture, still sees the Islamabad process as the best path forward. For Pakistan, tonight is both a validation and a responsibility-the trust of two nuclear-armed adversaries resting squarely on the shoulders of Islamabad, and the world watching to see whether diplomacy can finally deliver what missiles could not.
