ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is maintaining extraordinary caution over its quiet role in facilitating indirect communication between Washington and Tehran, amid ongoing efforts to keep a fragile diplomatic channel alive.
Sources say Islamabad is deliberately staying in the background to ensure that its role in the sensitive process does not become a source of disruption. Only a select few officials are aware of the actual contours of the engagement, while even most cabinet members remain informed largely through what appears in the international media.
Officials familiar with the matter said Pakistani authorities have adopted a strict policy of silence, avoiding even informal or off-the-record discussions that could risk exposing details of the ongoing effort. The intent, they said, is to prevent any premature disclosure that might derail the delicate process.
“All concerned have been asked to remain tight-lipped,” a source said, adding that Pakistan’s approach reflects an understanding of the high stakes involved in acting as a mediator between two adversaries.
As a result of this deliberate restraint, much of the emerging information about Islamabad’s role has surfaced from Washington and Tehran rather than from within Pakistan. Even in instances where international media has carried reports about Pakistan’s involvement in sensitive aspects of the process, Islamabad has refrained from offering any comment, on or off the record.
This includes reports suggesting Pakistan’s role in persuading Washington against targeting key Iranian figures linked to the dialogue process. Officials declined to comment on such claims, underscoring the broader policy of non-disclosure.
Diplomatic sources said there is a clear realisation within Islamabad that any leak at this stage could jeopardize not only the process but also Pakistan’s credibility and responsibility as a trusted intermediary. Both the sides, they noted, have shown confidence in Pakistan’s role, which has been acknowledged publicly by Washington and Tehran. Islamabad, however, has confined itself to confirming only what is already in the public domain.
The emphasis, officials said, remains firmly on ensuring that the backchannel engagement succeeds, away from media glare and political noise.
