ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani capital is getting ready for heightened international diplomacy once again. The level of international engagement can climb to a diplomatic zenith next week, something that Pakistan has not experienced in its history, influential sources have conveyed to The News.
Requesting anonymity, ranking Eurasian diplomats agreed that “something very significant seems just round the corner.” Sources close to the security establishment go a few steps further. They suggest US President Trump is very likely to come to Pakistan if an agreement is ready for signing “before he lands in Beijing” for detailed talks with his Chinese counterpart, President Xi Jinping on 14th.
Islamabad insiders claim the Cadillac-badged “Beast” - the 20,000-pound armoured bunker on wheels manufactured by General Motors for the President of the United States is still “parked somewhere in Pakistan.”
A number of C-17 Globemaster III transport planes also brought dozens of armoured vehicles and specialised equipment last month along with the members of US technical teams for talks with their Iranian counterparts. Many members of those teams and their vehicles have stayed back in Pakistan, sources said.
Despite a lull in war and ongoing naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz by both the Iranian and the American forces, Pakistan remains the preferred choice of the warring parties as well as the regional countries for peace talks.
One set of observers with access to Pakistani diplomatic and security situation rooms is now claiming that the “US and Iran are close to an agreement to end the war with Pakistan’s mediation.” Others claiming closeness to Trump’s ears, like Caitlin Doornbos, the New York post correspondent who travelled to Islamabad when Vice President Vance arrived for talks with the Iranian Speaker Muhammad Bagher Ghalibaf, claim otherwise.
“President Trump told me it’s ‘too soon’ to start packing my bags for Islamabad after reports that the US and Iran are close to a peace deal.
Ms Doornbos claimed that President Trump told her: “It’s too far. No, it’s too much.” She wrote on X that “He’s previously told me he’d go to Pakistan for a deal signing, but we’re not there yet.”
Yesterday, various western news outlets pointed to a possible “agreement” soon but also reported President Trump’s repeated warning of a return to war. The Hill wrote that with the US and Iran reportedly closing in on a peace deal, President Trump on Wednesday morning warned the Islamic Republic to come to terms.
On Wednesday, Pakistan scored another diplomatic feat when on Pakistani suggestion, President Trump announced a “pause” in US military initiative crafted to escort commercial vessels through the blockaded Strait of Hormuz.
Diplomatic and security sources in Islamabad told The News that President Trump would prefer an agreement signed before he travels to China. The reported one-pager agreement is needed not only by the warring parties but is desired by many countries impacted by the conflict.
Quoting Chinese sources, CNN wrote on Monday that “the current situation has actually turned out to be favourable to China”. Joerg Wuttke, a former president of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China also told the American network that “the US is fighting without winning, China is winning without fighting.”
Chinese experts of American affairs opine that Trump delayed his visit to Beijing because he “hasn’t gotten enough leverage.” Since he could not manage a quick win against Iran, he may want to win an “honourable” agreement before me meets his Chinese counterpart.
Sources in Islamabad claim President Trump would not let any other US official (possibly Vice President J D Vance or his son-in-law Jared Kushner etc.) take the credit for signing the desperately sought after agreement. “Don’t rule out regional leaders joining him when the time comes.”
