By Ruqayya Naeem
The 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly is taking place at a particularly sensitive moment for the Middle East, with tensions between Iran and the United States, growing maritime security concerns around the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb, conflicts in the Red Sea region, and risks to global trade adding urgency to diplomatic efforts.
Against this backdrop, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s meetings with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and other world leaders have placed Pakistan’s diplomatic role under renewed scrutiny.
During his meeting with President Pezeshkian, the need for mutual understanding, regional stability and continued dialogue was among the issues discussed. Shehbaz has also sought to explain Pakistan’s position on the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, saying it is not directed against any country but is intended to strengthen Saudi Arabia’s security and protect the holy sites. Pakistan has publicly presented the agreement as part of its broader commitment to regional stability.
For Islamabad, the diplomatic challenge is particularly delicate. Saudi Arabia is a longstanding partner, an important economic relationship and a major destination for Pakistani workers, while Iran is Pakistan’s immediate neighbour with significant implications for border security, trade and regional connectivity.
This geography and interconnectedness make it difficult for Pakistan to approach the current crisis exclusively through the lens of one alliance. Maintaining communication with multiple sides and keeping diplomatic channels open is therefore central to Islamabad’s current approach.
A Region Under Economic Pressure
The consequences of the Middle East crisis extend well beyond regional politics. The Strait of Hormuz is a crucial route for global energy supplies, while disruptions around Bab el-Mandeb can affect international shipping and supply chains.
Recent developments have underscored these concerns. Iran has indicated that it could reopen the Strait of Hormuz if the United States reduces military pressure and lifts its blockade on Iranian ports. At the same time, the United States has maintained pressure on Tehran, illustrating how far apart the two sides remain.
Pakistan therefore has a direct economic interest in de-escalation. Any prolonged disruption to energy and shipping routes could affect fuel prices, inflation, trade and the wider economic outlook of countries across Asia.
Pakistan’s Mediation Effort
Islamabad has increasingly sought to position itself as a channel for dialogue between Washington and Tehran. Pakistan previously facilitated direct US-Iran talks, which contributed to an agreement earlier this year, and the government has continued to advocate diplomacy as an alternative to military escalation.
At the UN General Assembly, Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan was prepared to help promote peace and de-escalation and referred to the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding as a framework that could support diplomatic engagement.
The challenge, however, is that mediation requires the confidence of all parties. Pakistan’s close relationship with Saudi Arabia and its security partnership with Riyadh and Ankara may give Islamabad access and influence in some regional discussions, but they can also make the task of maintaining credibility with Tehran more complicated.
That balancing act will ultimately determine how much diplomatic space Pakistan can create.
The Importance of Maritime Security
The security of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb has become one of the defining issues of the current crisis.
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Egypt have jointly stressed the importance of safe navigation and called for dialogue and diplomacy as the sustainable route toward resolving regional conflicts.
For Pakistan, the issue is not merely strategic. Its economy is closely connected to international energy markets and maritime trade. Any sustained disruption in these waterways could have consequences far beyond the countries directly involved in the conflict.
This gives Islamabad another reason to advocate de-escalation and secure navigation.
Diplomacy Beyond Security
Pakistan’s diplomatic engagement at the UN has also extended beyond the immediate Iran-US crisis. Meetings with regional and international leaders, as well as discussions involving economic cooperation and investment, indicate an effort to connect foreign policy with economic diplomacy.
For a country seeking greater exports, investment and international market access, diplomatic engagement cannot be separated entirely from economic objectives.
The idea of expanding Mera Brand Pakistan and connecting Pakistani businesses with international markets similarly reflects an attempt to use diplomatic platforms for economic engagement.
The Limits of Pakistan’s Role
Yet expectations surrounding Pakistan’s diplomatic role need to remain realistic.
The differences between Iran and the United States remain substantial. Washington has continued to demand significant changes from Tehran, while Iranian officials have linked any reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to a reduction in US military pressure and the lifting of the blockade.
The wider regional picture is equally complicated, with attacks involving Iran-aligned Houthi forces, concerns over Saudi security and continuing disputes over regional power.
Pakistan can facilitate communication, encourage dialogue and offer diplomatic space. It cannot, however, determine whether the principal parties are willing to compromise.
That distinction is important. Successful mediation depends not only on the mediator but also on the willingness of the parties to use the channel provided to them.
A Test and an Opportunity
For Pakistan, the current crisis is both a diplomatic test and an opportunity.
If Islamabad can maintain constructive relations with Saudi Arabia while preserving meaningful communication with Iran and supporting dialogue with the United States, it could contribute to confidence-building in a deeply divided region.
But credibility will depend on consistency. A mediator must be seen as capable of listening to different sides while maintaining a clear commitment to de-escalation and peaceful dialogue.
The UN General Assembly has once again demonstrated the importance of diplomacy at a time when military confrontation continues to threaten regional stability. Pakistan’s stated preference is for dialogue over escalation, and its recent diplomatic activity reflects an effort to translate that position into engagement.
The real test will come in the weeks and months ahead.
If diplomatic contacts can help reduce tensions, protect maritime routes and keep negotiations alive, Pakistan may find meaningful space to contribute to regional stability.
But ultimately, the success of any peace effort will depend on whether the principal parties choose negotiation over confrontation.
For Islamabad, the challenge is therefore not simply to become a “bridge” between rival powers, but to build and maintain enough trust for that bridge to remain useful.