Pakistan eyes peace deal for securing funds to keep collapsing economy afloat: Report
Tel Aviv, May 21
As Pakistan grapples with severe economic stress and over USD 100 billion in foreign debt, Islamabad is looking to lock the peace deal between Iran and the US so as to secure funds from Iran, Israeli media outlet C14 reported.
According to the report by C14 citing sources, it was reported that Tehran and Islamabad reached an understanding under which Pakistan would help Iran secure a favourable deal. In return, Iran would help Pakistan deal with its debt using the massive funds expected to flow after sanctions relief and a future agreement.
This comes as Pakistan's Interior Minister is already present in Iran, with ISNA reporting that Army Chief Asim Munir is likely to arrive in Tehran on Thursday.
Earlier on Wednesday, Pakistani Interior Minister Syed Mohsen Naqvi arrived in Tehran for the second time this week and held talks and exchanged views with the Iranian Interior Minister and the President of our country.
ISNA reported that during the meeting with Naqvi, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian discussed the latest regional developments and the status of indirect talks between Iran and the United States and the process of pursuing agreements and diplomatic consultations.
The visit between the two comes after ISNA reported that Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir is likely to travel to Tehran on Thursday as negotiations for peace talks continue, as reported by ISNA.
The Iranian agency said that Munir is set to arrive in Tehran today as part of continuing talks and consultations with Tehran officials, through mediation between Tehran and Washington.
The development comes as US President Donald Trump continues to hold out a threat to Iran to commit to a peace deal, fast paced diplomatic developments continue in West Asia.
Earlier, Iranian state-run agency Nour News on Thursday quoted Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei as saying "We have received US views and are reviewing them".
Tehran says the proposal from the American side has been delivered via the Pakistani mediators. According to the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Pakistan continues to mediate exchanges of messages between Tehran and Washington, adding that several rounds of communication have taken place based on Iran's original 14-point framework.
The latest round of diplomatic negotiations follows a stern message from US President Trump who called on Iran to show intent on sealing a deal.
"It's right on the borderline, believe me. If we don't get the right answers, it goes very quickly. We're all ready to go. We have to get the right answers -- it would have to be a complete 100% good answers," Trump told reporters on Wednesday (local time) at the joint base Andrews.
This was followed by another sharp rhetoric from Stephen Miller, Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and Homeland Security Advisor who presented Iran with a fate accompli.
"Iran has a choice to make: they can either agree to a piece of paper that is satisfactory to the United States, or they can face a punishment from our military the likes of which has not been seen in modern history. That's the choice they face," Miller said while speaking to Fox News
The situation in West Asia is tethering on the brink of renewed conflict even as multiple stakeholders push to close out a deal that will deescalate the situation
— ANI
Reader Comments
This might actually work in India's favor. If Pakistan normalizes with Iran and the US, it reduces their need to cosy up to China. But knowing their track record, expect more chaos and double-dealing. Pakistan never misses an opportunity to miss an opportunity.
Interesting diplomatic chess game. Pakistan has deep ties with Iran (Shia population, energy needs) and history with the US. But using this to fix their economy? Sounds like putting the cart before the horse. They need structural reforms, not just loans. 💸
The irony is thick - Pakistan's army chief is literally in Tehran negotiating peace deals while their own border with India remains a source of tension. Maybe they should focus on their own house first before playing global mediator. Just saying 🤷♀️
As an Indian, I've got mixed feelings. On one hand, stability in West Asia benefits everyone including us. On the other, seeing Pakistan leverage terror groups to extract concessions is frustrating. Hope India watches this space carefully - our interests in Chabahar and connectivity projects could be affected.
Pakistan playing both sides - Iran and US - while their economy tanks. Classic power move but risky. If sanctions on Iran lift, Pakistan could benefit from energy imports and trade. But Trump's threats are real. This could backfire spectacularly.
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