India’s promotion of a ‘terrorist’ officer, fresh atrocities in Kashmir cast a shadow on peace efforts

By Zahid Shah

ISLAMABAD– Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to broker peace between the United States and Iran have drawn unprecedented international endorsement, but the first round of direct talks in Islamabad ended without a signed agreement, the Foreign Office confirmed on Thursday.

Over 21 hours of intense negotiations on April 11-12, US Vice President J.D. Vance and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf met face-to-face at a venue in Islamabad, with Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir mediating throughout. While no breakthrough was achieved, Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi told a weekly press briefing that “there was no breakdown either,” calling the talks “constructive, intensive, and extensive.”

“We interpret the talks with a very positive spirit,” Andrabi said. “The fact that these two delegations talked for 21 sleepless hours, applying their minds on intricate issues, is commendable.”

The ceasefire between Washington and Tehran, which paved the way for the Islamabad talks, remains fragile. Andrabi declined to confirm dates or a venue for a second round, urging media to avoid speculation.

- Global Endorsement, Quiet Criticism

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif received telephone calls from the leaders of Austria, Qatar, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, Japan, and Canada -- all praising Pakistan’s role. White House Spokesperson Karoline Levitt earlier described Pakistan as “a great mediator.”

However, Andrabi pushed back against suggestions that the United Arab Emirates opposed the process. “UAE is our very old, trusted partner,” he said, clarifying that the return of funds to Abu Dhabi predated the current conflict and should not be conflated with the peace talks.

- India, Afghanistan Cast Shadows

Amid the diplomatic momentum, Pakistan sharply condemned India’s decision to promote Colonel Purohit -- an officer implicated in the 2007 Samjhota Express attack that killed 868 civilians  -- to the rank of brigadier. “This decision risks sending a disquieting signal about accountability in the Indian system,” Andrabi said, calling it evidence of “state-sponsored terrorism.”

Pakistan also condemned the reported cow vigilantism attack on an 18-year-old Kashmiri youth, Tanvir Ahmad Chopan, in Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, as well as India’s newly tabled delimitation bill that illegally references Azad Jammu and Kashmir. “This licensed brutality against Muslims must end,” the spokesperson said.

On Afghanistan, Andrabi confirmed that trilateral talks in Urumqi have concluded, but stressed that Kabul must provide “written and verifiable assurances” not to allow its soil for terrorism against Pakistan.

Andrabi also revealed that senior officials from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and Egypt met in Islamabad on April 14 -- the inaugural meeting of a new four-country diplomatic group. He clarified that the grouping predates the US-Iran hostilities and should not be seen as a reaction to current events.

As Pakistan continues to shuttle between Tehran and Washington, and with Prime Minister Sharif now visiting Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkiye, the world watches whether Islamabad can convert diplomatic praise into a lasting peace accord. For now, as Andrabi put it, Pakistan remains “partial to peace, partial to progress” -- but the ink on any agreement has yet to dry.