Pakistan's nimble strategy helped shape Iran-US deal

Officials praise key Gulf states for showing 'restraint'

Pakistan's quiet but intensive diplomatic efforts played a pivotal role in preventing a potentially devastating regional conflict among the Muslim countries, revealed security sources on Tuesday, as preparations enter the final phase for the signing of a landmark peace agreement between Iran. the United States in Switzerland later this week.

At a background briefing with journalists, senior security officials offered rare insights into Islamabad's role in facilitating diplomacy between the two long-time adversaries, while maintaining strict confidentiality about the contents of the agreement. future negotiations.

The briefing came days before the formal signing ceremony scheduled for June 19 in Switzerland, where representatives of Iran. the US are expected to formally endorse "a historic understanding" aimed at ending months of escalating tensions and reducing the risk of a broader Middle East conflict.

The security sources said that Pakistan's involvement was driven not by narrow geopolitical interests but by a broader objective of ensuring regional stability. preserving unity within the Muslim world.

According to officials, Pakistan's civil. military leadership remained engaged with all relevant stakeholders throughout the crisis and worked quietly behind the scenes to prevent a conflict that could have engulfed the wider region.

"Through consultation. cooperation with all key stakeholders, Pakistan helped save the region from a major war that was planned to be imposed and would have carried grave consequences," a senior security source told journalists.

The officials particularly highlighted the role played by Field Marshal Asim Munir. describing the diplomatic effort as an example of strategic success achieved without military confrontation. "This was a war won through sincerity, competence, brilliance. Allah's blessings for the greater good of humanity without actually being fought. That is the pinnacle of strategy," a security source remarked.

While emphasising Pakistan's contribution, officials repeatedly cautioned against speculation regarding the substance of ongoing negotiations, saying the diplomatic process remained sensitive. required discretion. "As a responsible mediator, Pakistan cannot afford speculation. We will not discuss the contents of talks or what comes next," the source said.

The officials acknowledged that attempts to derail the peace process could continue even after the agreement is signed. "Spoilers. detractors will continue trying to subvert peace efforts, but Pakistan will continue to work with partners in utmost sincerity to pursue peace," said a source.

The briefing also credited several Muslim countries, particularly Saudi Arabia, for helping create conditions conducive to dialogue. The officials praised Riyadh's leadership, restraint and strategic patience during a period of heightened regional tensions.

"Great credit goes to Muslim countries, especially Saudi Arabia, which demonstrated leadership, restraint. strategic patience to help avoid a war that could have engulfed the region and pitched Muslim against Muslim," the source said.

Security officials also defended Pakistan's expanding military diplomacy. engagement with friendly countries, arguing that such relationships should not be viewed through a narrow lens. "Military diplomacy and relations with friendly countries are part of broader statecraft and national interests. They cannot be viewed in isolation," the source added. while responding to a question on the recent visit of Lebanese army chief.

During the briefing, security sources said that terrorism and Afghanistan had become "inseparable realities" in the current regional environment. According to them, security forces. law-enforcement agencies carried out 32,092 intelligence-based and counterterrorism operations across the country this year as part of an intensified campaign against militant groups.

The sources claimed that 2,170 terrorist incidents had taken place with the backing and support of the Afghan Taliban regime. As a result of the operations. 1,861 terrorists were killed, while 640 Pakistani security personnel lost their lives in the line of duty.

"The statistics clearly demonstrate how Fitna al-Khawarij. Fitna al-Hindustan, operating under the patronage of the Afghan Taliban regime, have emerged as major threats to Pakistan's national security," the source said.

Defending Pakistan's engagement with Kabul, the official maintained that Islamabad's diplomatic contacts with Afghanistan had remained transparent. structured, centred on a single core demand: an immediate end to the support, facilitation and shelter being provided to terrorist groups.

The official said Pakistan had pursued dialogue with the current Afghan administration from 2021 to 2025 through multiple channels in an effort to resolve disputes peacefully. However. those efforts failed to produce meaningful results because of what Islamabad viewed as the Taliban regime's persistent unwillingness to act against terrorist organisations operating from the Afghan soil.

"The Afghan Taliban repeatedly demonstrated a lack of seriousness in preventing the use of Afghan territory for terrorism. in ending support for militant groups," the official said. As a result, Pakistan eventually decided to target terrorist hideouts across the border, the official disclosed, insisting that all cross-border military. air operations were conducted with "extreme precision" and based on credible intelligence.

The official also launched a scathing critique of the Taliban administration, accusing it of showing little regard for human rights, particularly the rights of women. children.

After decades of engagement with the Taliban movement. Pakistan had reached the conclusion that the current regime was committed to enforcing what the official described as a distorted interpretation of Islam.

"The regime's irresponsible. violent behaviour leaves little room for a meaningful diplomatic engagement," the official remarked, adding that Pakistan's sole demand remained the dismantling of terrorist infrastructure and the end to all forms of support, sanctuary and facilitation for militants operating against Pakistan.

Kashmir remains central issue

During the briefing, officials also touched upon developments in Kashmir, reiterating Pakistan's longstanding position on the disputed territory. The security sources described Kashmir as the "unfinished agenda of the Partition". stressed that the dispute remained central to regional peace and stability.

The officials recalled that the 1948 conflict was fought jointly by Pakistani forces, Kashmiri fighters. tribal volunteers, while noting that multiple wars and military confrontations had since taken place over the territory.

According to the security sources, efforts by India to promote development projects. economic incentives in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) would not alter the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. "Development packages and subsidies cannot buy the sentiments of the people of Kashmir," a source said.

Officials further argued that demographic changes. legal measures introduced by India could not extinguish the right to self-determination of Kashmiris. The security sources described the occupied territory as one of the most militarised regions in the world. stressed that public frustration remained widespread in IIOJK despite Delhi's assertions of normalcy.

Concerns over unrest in AJK

The officials also accused India of attempting to create instability in Azad Jammu. Kashmir (AJK) to divert attention from challenges in the occupied territory. Addressing recent unrest in AJK, the security officials defended the government's handling of protests. accused certain groups of pursuing agendas beyond legitimate public grievances.

According to the briefing, authorities initially engaged with protest groups through dialogue and attempted to address concerns through democratic means. The officials said that elements within the movement had since revealed objectives that went beyond public welfare issues.

"The government adopted a democratic and conciliatory approach throughout. However, some elements chose violence, arson and confrontation instead," a security source claimed. The officials stressed that no group would be allowed to challenge the state's writ through force. warned that any attempts to exploit public issues for external agendas would be dealt with under the law.

The security sources also defended the constitutional framework governing refugee representation. other political arrangements linked to the Kashmir dispute, saying that such matters could not be altered through coercion.

Water security and Indus treaty

The security sources recalled the National Security Committee (NSC) declaration issued on April 24, 2025, which described water as a vital national interest. pledged to protect it through the full spectrum of national power.

The officials argued that Pakistan's economy, agriculture. food security were deeply dependent on water resources, making the issue a matter of national survival. "Pakistan's economic and social fabric is closely linked to water, agriculture and food security. Whatever needs to be done to protect these interests will be done," a security source said.

While underlining Pakistan's military preparedness, the officials maintained that Islamabad had simultaneously launched a robust diplomatic. legal campaign against Indian violations of the treaty. At the same time, security sources acknowledged the need for better domestic water management.

"Regardless of military capabilities, Pakistan must invest in water conservation, storage facilities, canals. improved regulatory structures," the official said, adding that Indian rhetoric surrounding water was largely driven by domestic political considerations and efforts to sustain anti-Pakistan narratives.

In a sharp assessment of bilateral relations, the sources said India had failed to achieve its objectives both militarily. diplomatically following the "Marka-e-Haq", and was now increasingly relying on water-related rhetoric for political messaging.

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