ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) vice-president and Senator Sherry Rehman has shared important remarks regarding the recent Islamabad Talks, emphasizing the broader context and expectations surrounding the dialogue process.
She stated that the 21-hour-long negotiations in Islamabad represent only the first phase of what is expected to be a prolonged diplomatic process, cautioning against expectations of any immediate breakthrough. She said that peace agreements are not sudden “black swan” events but the result of sustained, gradual, and structured negotiations.
Sherry Rehman noted that Islamabad provided a secure environment, strategic confidence, and a historic opportunity for the concerned parties, enabling an initial thaw in relations. She highlighted that expecting a final agreement in the first round is unrealistic, citing the Iran-US nuclear deal, which took nearly 20 months to conclude.
She further emphasized that diplomacy requires patience, trust-building, protection from spoilers, and a strong political will to move away from conflict.
Pakistan, she said, played a constructive role by offering a safe pathway for dialogue during a period of heightened tensions, with both civil and military leadership working tirelessly to facilitate the talks and leverage international trust.
Rehman added that while Islamabad can help shape the agenda, it cannot guarantee outcomes. She described the ceasefire as a significant development, noting that violations in such environments are not uncommon.
She urged the international community to allow this strategic pause to continue, giving both Tehran and Washington the space needed for careful consideration.
Concluding her remarks, she reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to prioritizing peace and continuing to utilize its diplomatic capacity to achieve positive and lasting outcomes.