ISLAMABAD: The first round of talks following the US-Iran ceasefire is set to begin in Islamabad on Friday, placing Pakistan at the center of global diplomacy once again.
Officials said high-level delegations from both countries have arrived in the capital for the talks.
Pakistan has a long history of hosting major international gatherings. In 1974, it hosted the Islamic Summit Conference 1974, bringing together leaders from more than 30 Muslim countries, including Saudi Arabia, Libya, Egypt, and Palestine. The meeting boosted Pakistan’s global standing.
In 2004, Islamabad hosted the SAARC Summit 2004, where leaders from India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and other regional states agreed to expand economic cooperation.
Pakistan also hosted the D-8 Summit 2012 and the Heart of Asia Conference 2015, where countries including Turkey, Iran, Malaysia, and Afghanistan discussed economic and security cooperation.
More recently, Islamabad hosted the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit 2024, attended by senior delegations from China, Russia, India, and Iran. Several prime ministers and foreign ministers were present simultaneously, highlighting Pakistan’s diplomatic relevance.
Earlier this year, Islamabad hosted a four-nation foreign ministers’ meeting attended by Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt, and Pakistan. The participants discussed the Middle East situation and efforts to ease tensions between Washington and Tehran.
Officials now say Pakistan is hosting the latest round of US-Iran talks as part of ongoing diplomatic efforts to reduce regional tensions.
Observers say the development underscores Pakistan’s growing diplomatic role and rising global importance. They add that past conferences and recent engagements have helped restore Pakistan’s position as a key player in international diplomacy.
