In a pointed critique of the ongoing diplomatic efforts in Islamabad, senior Congress MP and former UN diplomat Shashi Tharoor took a sharp swipe at the Pakistani government’s role as a mediator between Iran and the United States. Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Tharoor highlighted a recent social media controversy involving Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, whose official X account briefly posted a “draft” message regarding the ceasefire before it was hastily edited. Tharoor mocked the incident, suggesting that the language and formatting of the post—which reportedly included the heading “Draft for Pakistan PM”—indicated that the statement may have been authored by Washington rather than Islamabad. “If you and I wrote something for the Indian Prime Minister, would we write ‘Draft for India’s PM’ above it?” Tharoor remarked, adding that the phrasing bore a striking resemblance to rhetoric used by Donald Trump only hours earlier.
The controversy stems from a post by Prime Minister Sharif that outlined the terms of the current two-week ceasefire, including the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and a diplomatic pause. While the post was quickly corrected, the original version went viral, fueling allegations from critics that Islamabad is acting more as a mouthpiece for U.S. interests than an independent facilitator. Tharoor used the blunder to question the authenticity of Pakistan’s mediation, stating that “only Pakistan can play the kind of role it has played with Washington,” implying a subservient relationship. He further noted that the timing and content of Sharif’s appeal for a “goodwill gesture” from Iran mirrored the demands set forth by the Trump administration, suggesting a coordinated effort to pressure Tehran under the guise of neutral arbitration.
Despite Tharoor’s skepticism, the diplomatic machinery in Islamabad remains in full swing. High-level delegations, led by U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, are currently in the Pakistani capital to navigate the complexities of a permanent settlement. The ceasefire, which was confirmed by both Washington and Tehran shortly after Sharif’s controversial post, has provided a temporary reprieve from a conflict that has threatened to engulf the Middle East. However, Tharoor’s comments reflect a broader skepticism in the region regarding the “back-channel” dynamics at play. As the talks continue, the focus remains on whether this mediation—regardless of its origins—can deliver a lasting peace or if it is merely a strategic pause in an ongoing geopolitical confrontation
