Islamabad, June 23, 2026:

Pakistan played a pivotal and historic role in brokering a peace arrangement between Iran and the United States, averting a potentially catastrophic war that posed serious risks to global stability. The consensus emerged at a roundtable hosted by the Center for Law and Security (CLAS), bringing together leading experts from major strategic and policy institutions.

Ambassador Sardar Masood Khan, President of CLAS, delivered the opening and concluding remarks, outlining a structured diplomatic methodology underpinning Pakistan’s mediation. He stated that Pakistan’s success was rooted in a seven-step framework of strategic engagement, beginning with immediate shuttle diplomacy following the outbreak of conflict and extending to sustained backchannel communication, regional consensus-building, and calibrated trust management across key regional and global stakeholders. He further emphasized that Pakistan’s mediation evolved into a broader regional framework linking security with economic integration, positioning the country as both a mediator and an emerging stakeholder in Middle Eastern stability.

The session was moderated by renowned anchorperson and Executive Director CLAS, Rehman Azhar.

Representatives from the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI), Center for International Strategic Studies (CISS), Strategic Affairs – StrafAsia Pakistan, Strategic Vision Institute (SVI), Institute of Regional Studies (IRS) and NUST Institute of Policy Studies (NIPS) collectively assessed Pakistan’s expanding diplomatic footprint and its increasing relevance in shaping regional conflict resolution mechanisms.

A key theme of the discussion was Pakistan’s ability to maintain credible engagement across diverse geopolitical environments. It was observed that Pakistan successfully projected itself as a facilitator rather than a partisan actor, strengthening its credibility through sustained multilateral engagement and balanced diplomacy.

Speakers highlighted Pakistan’s geographic and strategic positioning as a central factor in its growing diplomatic relevance, enabling it to serve as a bridge between competing regional blocs. Neutrality and strategic restraint were identified as key enablers of this role, alongside long-term infrastructure and connectivity initiatives that support regional integration.

The discussion further reflected on Pakistan’s evolving international identity, noting a gradual shift from a security-focused perception toward a more constructive and responsible regional actor. This transition was linked to proactive diplomatic outreach and increasing engagement in regional economic and connectivity frameworks.

Institutional cohesion was also identified as a significant strength, with emphasis on Pakistan’s coordinated approach to crisis diplomacy enabling effective mediation and trust-building between conflicting parties. This internal alignment was seen as essential in sustaining complex backchannel engagements under volatile conditions.

Participants underscored the importance of translating diplomatic achievements into tangible economic outcomes. Greater regional economic integration, enhanced investment flows, and the unlocking of trade potential were highlighted as necessary steps to strengthen national resilience and consolidate diplomatic gains.

It was also noted that Pakistan maintains a rare diplomatic position, engaging simultaneously with multiple global power centers. In this context, regional energy cooperation and strategic infrastructure projects were described as critical to sustaining long-term diplomatic momentum and connectivity.

Regional political dynamics were assessed as a continuing constraint on normalization processes in South Asia, although structured dialogue was identified as essential for long-term stability.

The discussion was contributed by Ms. Aiza Azam (Strategic Affairs – StrafAsia Pakistan), Ms. Zunaira Azhar (anchorperson), Dr. Bilal Zubair (CISS), Mr. Hamdan Khan (SVI), Ms. Maureen Zaidi (HOD Laws – TMUC), Mr. Hannan (IRS), Ms. Arhama Siddiqua (ISSI) and Syed Basim Raza (NIPS), who discussed various strategic, diplomatic, economic, and security dimensions of Pakistan’s growing role in regional and international affairs.

In his concluding remarks, Ambassador Sardar Masood Khan underscored Pakistan’s evolving role as a middle power and emerging stakeholder in Middle Eastern stability, where diplomacy, connectivity, and restraint increasingly define influence over coercion. He emphasized that Pakistan’s strategic positioning enables it to function as a bridge between competing regional and global.