JUST IN: Pakistan Says It Is Working on Ceasefire for Lebanon and Yemen
Published on Reflecto News | World News | Diplomacy & Conflict Resolution
In a significant expansion of its diplomatic role in the Middle East crisis, Pakistan has announced that it is actively working to secure ceasefires for Lebanon and Yemen, in addition to the fragile two-week truce already brokered between the United States and Iran. The revelation comes as Islamabad prepares to host high-stakes negotiations between Washington and Tehran, with the Lebanese and Yemeni fronts representing critical flashpoints that could still reignite broader hostilities.
A Pakistani source with direct knowledge of the discussions confirmed the expanded mediation effort, stating that ceasefires for both countries would be on the agenda during the upcoming talks. “It will be discussed during the (upcoming) talks and we will settle it,” the source told Reuters .
Pakistan’s Expanding Mediation Role
The announcement marks a dramatic escalation of Pakistan’s diplomatic footprint in a conflict that has threatened to engulf the entire region. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir have emerged as central figures in back-channel negotiations between Washington and Tehran, leveraging Pakistan’s unique position as a nation with ties to all major parties in the conflict .
| Mediation Front | Status | Key Challenge |
|---|---|---|
| US-Iran Direct Conflict | Two-week ceasefire agreed (April 7) | Scope of Lebanon inclusion disputed |
| Lebanon (Hezbollah-Israel) | Under active negotiation | Israel denies coverage by existing truce |
| Yemen (Houthis-Israel) | Under active negotiation | Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping |
The expansion of Pakistan’s mediation effort reflects growing international recognition that a comprehensive resolution must address all fronts of the conflict simultaneously. The war, which began with US and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, has since drawn in Hezbollah in Lebanon and Houthi forces in Yemen, creating a multi-front crisis that threatens to spiral beyond control .
Lebanon: The Immediate Flashpoint
The urgency of securing a Lebanese ceasefire could not be more acute. Just hours after the US-Iran truce was announced on April 7, Israeli jets conducted a massive 10-minute blitz across Lebanon, killing at least 203 people and wounding more than 1,000 others, according to Lebanon’s health ministry . The strikes targeted Hezbollah positions in Beirut’s southern suburbs, the Bekaa Valley, and southern Lebanon—areas that have been subjected to relentless bombardment since the conflict began.
Lebanon’s response has been one of national mourning and diplomatic desperation. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has directly appealed to Pakistan for support, seeking Islamabad’s help to “push for an immediate halt to the attacks against Lebanon and its people” . During a phone call with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Salam requested Pakistan’s intervention to stop what Lebanese officials have described as a “massacre” of civilians .
The toll on Lebanon has been catastrophic:
| Casualty Figures (since March 2) | Count |
|---|---|
| Total killed | Over 1,739 |
| Total wounded | More than 5,873 |
| Single-day death toll (April 8) | 203+ |
| Single-day wounded (April 8) | 1,000+ |
Source: Lebanese Health Ministry
The strikes have not been limited to traditional Hezbollah strongholds. Densely populated parts of central Beirut—including the well-to-do Tallet el Khayat neighborhood—were hit without warning, catching residents completely off guard . At the Rafik Hariri University Hospital, rescue workers described the grim reality: “We’re picking up body parts for the most part. It’s very rare that we find entire bodies intact,” one rescue worker told Reuters on condition of anonymity .
The Dispute Over Lebanon’s Inclusion
The central obstacle to a Lebanese ceasefire is a fundamental disagreement over whether the existing US-Iran truce applies to Lebanon. The parties remain sharply divided:
Pakistan and Iran’s Position: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif initially announced that the ceasefire applied “everywhere, including Lebanon and elsewhere” . Iran has consistently maintained that any comprehensive ceasefire must include Lebanon, with Iranian officials insisting that the country is an “inseparable part” of any agreement .
US and Israel’s Position: Both Washington and Jerusalem have explicitly rejected this interpretation. President Trump stated that Lebanon was not part of the deal “because of Hezbollah,” describing the war in Lebanon as “a separate skirmish” . Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government has made clear that Israel’s campaign against Hezbollah will continue regardless of the US-Iran truce.
International Community: A host of countries, including Britain, France, Germany, and others, have called for the truce to be extended to Lebanon, recognizing that continued fighting there could unravel the entire diplomatic framework .
This dispute has real-world consequences. Hezbollah, which had initially announced it would pause attacks on Israel in line with the ceasefire, resumed its operations on Thursday morning, firing rockets across the border and at Israeli forces in southern Lebanon . The group’s return to active combat underscores how the absence of a clear Lebanese ceasefire threatens to reignite the broader conflict.
Yemen: The Overlooked Front
Pakistan’s commitment to securing a ceasefire for Yemen represents an acknowledgment that the Houthi front cannot be ignored. The Iran-aligned Houthi movement has been actively targeting Israel and Red Sea shipping throughout the conflict, further disrupting global trade routes already strained by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz .
Yemen’s role in the conflict has been less visible than Lebanon’s but no less consequential. Houthi attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb Strait have forced major shipping lines to reroute around the Cape of Good Hope, adding weeks to transit times and driving up insurance and freight costs.
A ceasefire in Yemen would serve multiple strategic purposes:
- Restore Red Sea Security: Opening the Bab el-Mandeb Strait would relieve pressure on global supply chains already strained by the Hormuz closure.
- Reduce Israeli Exposure: Houthi missile and drone attacks on southern Israel have forced the Israeli military to allocate air defense resources away from the Lebanese front.
- Limit Iranian Leverage: The Houthis represent one of Iran’s most effective proxy forces; neutralizing this front would reduce Tehran’s bargaining power in broader negotiations.
However, the Yemeni front presents unique challenges. The Houthi movement operates with significant autonomy from Tehran, and any ceasefire agreement would require direct engagement with Sanaa—a complicating factor that Pakistan’s mediators will need to navigate carefully.
The Islamabad Talks: A Diplomatic Crossroads
The expanded ceasefire effort will be central to negotiations scheduled to take place in Islamabad, where US and Iranian delegations are expected to meet. Pakistan has taken extraordinary measures to prepare for the talks, locking down the capital and establishing a 3-kilometer (2-mile) security zone around the five-star Serena Hotel, where both delegations are expected to stay .
| Talks Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Serena Hotel, Islamabad |
| Security perimeter | 3 km (2 miles) lockdown |
| Hotel status | Requisitioned; all guests asked to leave |
| Expected duration | Up to 15 days |
| US delegation lead | Vice President JD Vance |
| Iranian delegation lead | Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf |
Sources: Reuters, Daily Mirror
The talks are expected to be direct—a significant departure from the indirect communications that have characterized US-Iran engagement in recent years. According to Iranian state media, the negotiations could last up to 15 days under Pakistan’s mediation .
The agenda is ambitious. Negotiators will need to address not only the immediate ceasefires for Lebanon and Yemen but also the underlying issues that sparked the conflict: Iran’s nuclear program, the status of the Strait of Hormuz, US military presence in the region, and the unfreezing of Iranian assets.
The 15-Point and 10-Point Frameworks
The negotiations will build on two competing frameworks that have already been exchanged through Pakistani intermediaries. The United States has put forward a 15-point plan, while Iran has responded with a 10-point set of counter-proposals .
Key elements of Iran’s 10-point plan include:
- Cessation of hostilities on all fronts, “including against the resistance of Lebanon”
- Lifting of all primary and secondary sanctions on Iran
- Continued Iranian control over the Strait of Hormuz
- US military withdrawal from the Middle East
- A UN Security Council resolution making any deal binding under international law
The US position reportedly emphasizes:
- Complete, immediate, and safe reopening of the Strait of Hormuz
- Verification mechanisms for any nuclear-related provisions
- Protection of US allies and assets in the region
The two frameworks are not easily reconciled. As one analyst noted, “what the United States is saying differs significantly from what the Iranians are saying. The Iranians are casting this as a full capitulation on the part of the United States” .
Pakistan’s Stakes: Why Mediation Matters
Pakistan’s emergence as a mediator is not incidental. Islamabad has multiple strategic interests in securing a comprehensive resolution to the conflict :
Neutrality: Unlike Middle Eastern nations that host US military bases—which were targeted by Iranian retaliatory strikes—Pakistan hosts no such facilities, allowing it to maintain credibility with both sides .
Shared Border with Iran: Pakistan shares a 900-kilometer border with Iran. Instability in Iran could increase cross-border movement by armed groups and inflame sectarian tensions within Pakistan, which is home to the world’s second-largest Shia Muslim population (estimated at 25-40 million) .
Defense Pact with Saudi Arabia: Pakistan has signed a formal mutual defense pact with Saudi Arabia, stating that “any aggression against either country shall be considered an aggression against both.” If the conflict escalates with Saudi Arabia becoming involved, Pakistan could be drawn in .
Economic Vulnerability: Pakistan is already suffering from the war’s economic fallout. Global energy price spikes have increased the cost of imports, putting pressure on the country’s fragile economy and balance of payments.
Domestic Sectarian Stability: With a significant Shia population, any perception that Pakistan is aligned against Iran could have serious domestic consequences. Conversely, failure to secure peace could embolden extremist elements on both sides of the sectarian divide.
As one analysis noted, “Pakistan may want to avoid a scenario where the conflict turns into a war among Muslim countries” .
International Support and Skepticism
Pakistan’s mediation effort has drawn widespread international support, though skepticism remains about its prospects for success.
Support:
- United Nations: Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed “sincere appreciation for the efforts of Pakistan and other countries involved in facilitating the ceasefire” .
- European Union: EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen thanked Pakistan for its mediation, while EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas noted that she spoke to Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, “thanking him for securing the deal” .
- Germany: Chancellor Friedrich Merz welcomed the ceasefire, stating, “We thank Pakistan for its mediation” .
- Saudi Arabia: The Kingdom supported the announcement, “noting in this context the fruitful efforts made by Pakistan and General Asim Munir” .
- Turkey: The foreign ministry congratulated “brotherly Pakistan for its role throughout this process” .
- Malaysia: Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim commended Pakistan’s “tireless and courageous” diplomatic efforts, stating that “Pakistan’s willingness to speak to all sides, without fear or favour, reflects the highest traditions of Muslim solidarity and international responsibility” .
Skepticism:
Despite the praise, analysts have raised concerns about the durability of any agreement reached under current conditions. As one expert noted, “The ceasefire’s fragility stems from the divergent goals of its principal actors” .
Key structural challenges include:
- No enforcement mechanism: The current framework lacks any verification or enforcement provisions.
- Divergent strategic objectives: The US, Iran, and Israel have fundamentally incompatible goals for the region.
- Proxy autonomy: Hezbollah, the Houthis, and other Iran-aligned groups may not fully comply with Tehran’s directives.
- Domestic politics: Leaders on all sides face domestic pressures that could incentivize renewed hostilities.
As one analysis concluded, “This ceasefire is less a resolution and more a tactical intermission in a multi-actor contest where strategic objectives remain fundamentally irreconcilable” .
The Road Ahead
The path to ceasefires in Lebanon and Yemen is fraught with obstacles. Even if Pakistan can broker agreements on paper, implementation will require overcoming decades of mistrust, competing regional ambitions, and the reality of ongoing military operations on the ground.
Nevertheless, the very fact that Pakistan has placed these issues on the negotiating table represents progress. For the first time since the conflict began on February 28, there is a diplomatic process addressing all fronts simultaneously—not just the direct US-Iran confrontation but also the proxy battles that have caused so much suffering in Lebanon and Yemen.
As one Pakistani source with knowledge of the discussions told Reuters: “It will be discussed during the (upcoming) talks and we will settle it” . Whether that confidence is justified will become clearer in the coming days.
For now, the people of Lebanon and Yemen—along with millions of others caught in the crossfire of a widening regional war—can only hope that Pakistan’s diplomatic gambit succeeds where so many others have failed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What did Pakistan announce regarding ceasefires for Lebanon and Yemen?
A Pakistani source with knowledge of the discussions confirmed that Pakistan is working on ceasefires for Lebanon and Yemen, in addition to the two-week truce already brokered between the US and Iran. These issues will be discussed during upcoming negotiations in Islamabad .
2. Why are ceasefires for Lebanon and Yemen necessary?
Both countries are active fronts in the wider conflict. Hezbollah in Lebanon and Houthi forces in Yemen have been attacking Israel and US-aligned targets throughout the war. Continued fighting on these fronts threatens to reignite the broader US-Iran conflict even if the direct truce holds .
3. Does the existing US-Iran ceasefire apply to Lebanon?
This is a major point of dispute. Pakistan and Iran maintain that the ceasefire includes Lebanon, while the United States and Israel have explicitly denied this. Prime Minister Netanyahu has stated that Hezbollah “is not part of the ceasefire deal signed with Iran” .
4. How has Israel responded to the ceasefire regarding Lebanon?
Israel has continued its military operations in Lebanon, conducting one of the deadliest waves of airstrikes since the conflict began just hours after the US-Iran truce was announced. The strikes killed at least 203 people and wounded more than 1,000 .
5. What is Hezbollah’s position?
Hezbollah initially announced it would pause attacks in line with the ceasefire but resumed operations on Thursday morning, firing rockets at Israeli settlements and targeting Israeli forces in southern Lebanon. The group’s return to combat underscores the fragility of the current arrangements .
6. What role is Lebanon’s government playing?
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has directly appealed to Pakistan for support, seeking Islamabad’s help to “push for an immediate halt to the attacks against Lebanon and its people” during a phone call with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif .
7. When and where will the talks take place?
US and Iranian delegations are scheduled to meet in Islamabad. Pakistan has locked down the capital, establishing a 3-kilometer security zone around the Serena Hotel where both delegations will stay. The talks could last up to 15 days .
8. Who is leading the delegations?
The US delegation is expected to be led by Vice President JD Vance. The Iranian delegation is expected to be headed by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi .
9. What frameworks will guide the negotiations?
The United States has put forward a 15-point plan, while Iran has responded with a 10-point set of counter-proposals. Both frameworks will serve as starting points for the Islamabad negotiations .
10. Why is Pakistan acting as mediator?
Pakistan maintains unique credibility with both sides: it has no US military bases on its soil (unlike Gulf nations targeted by Iran), shares a long border with Iran, has a significant Shia population, and has a mutual defense pact with Saudi Arabia. These factors position Pakistan as a relatively neutral venue for talks .
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