PAKISTAN PERSPECTIVE

Islamabad reads US President Trump's statement during a cabinet meeting – reported by Dawn without a date stamp – as a deliberate erosion of the diplomatic process: US President Trump's statement during a cabinet meeting – reported by Dawn without editorial comment – summarizes the current tension: "Either we get an agreement, or we'll simply finish the job." This alternation between military threat and diplomatic overture is precisely the terrain on which Islamabad intends to play. Pakistan shares a long border with Iran and hosts Shia minorities; an uncontrolled escalation, combined with a prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz, would expose Islamabad to double pressure. Dar's visit to Washington is seen in local press as an attempt to position itself as a useful interlocutor, without aligning with either camp.