Caroline DaviesCorrespondent in Pakistan
Reuters
In the hours before the two-week ceasefire between Iran and the United States was announced, small signs of hope emerged in Pakistan.
Speaking anonymously, a Pakistani source told the BBC that talks were continuing “at pace”, with Pakistan acting as an intermediary between Iran and the United States.
Those responsible for the negotiations on the Pakistani side were made up of a “very restricted circle” and the mood was “somber and serious, but there was still hope that a cessation of hostilities would result. There are a few hours left.” The source said they were not part of this small circle.
Pakistan has served as an intermediary between Iran and the United States in recent weeks, passing messages between the two. She maintains a historic relationship with Iran, a common border and regularly discusses her “fraternal” relationship with this country.
Regarding relations with the United States, President Trump named Pakistan’s armed forces chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, as his “favorite” field marshal and said he knows Iran “better than anyone.”
A deal was far from certain. Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday evening, Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said: “Until yesterday we were very optimistic that things were moving in a positive direction,” before Israel launched an attack on Iran on Monday and Iran attacked Saudi Arabia.
Pakistan, he said, “always tries to manage things as much as possible.”
Marshal Munir was even more openly critical. Speaking to military officials on Tuesday, he said the attack on Saudi Arabia “spoils sincere efforts to resolve the conflict through peaceful means.”
This is one of the harshest remarks used by Pakistan against Iran since the start of the conflict.
Some analysts have suggested this could increase pressure on Iran. Pakistan has a defense pact with Saudi Arabia, which has so far not been invoked, despite repeated attacks on Saudi Arabia.
After midnight in Pakistan, the country’s prime minister posted on
Iran’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Reza Amiri Moghadam, posted on
Shortly before 5 a.m., Pakistan’s prime minister announced that a ceasefire had been reached and invited both sides to meet in Islamabad on Friday, April 10, to “continue negotiations towards a conclusive agreement.”
“We remain very cautious,” the Pakistani source told the BBC, saying the situation was “continuously fragile”. There is still no trust between the two sides, with positions firmly held.
While Pakistan could still welcome the two countries to the table, the question is what they can find common ground on.
