ISLAMABAD: In a significant diplomatic boost for Pakistan’s peace credentials, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Wednesday threw his weight behind Islamabad’s offer to host a dialogue between the United States and Iran, describing the move as a “constructive” step toward de-escalating “acute regional danger.” The endorsement comes as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif continues to position Pakistan as a mediator in a conflict that has increasingly threatened to destabilise the broader Middle East.
In a statement issued from Kuala Lumpur, the Malaysian premier commended Mr Sharif and other regional leaders for stepping forward at a time when the conflict threatens to draw in neighbouring states. Mr Anwar noted that Pakistan’s relationships with the relevant parties and its standing as a credible voice in the Muslim world place it in a strong position to help create the conditions for meaningful negotiations. He further urged Washington and Tehran to respond to the proposal in the “spirit in which it was offered,” following similar back-channel efforts by Oman, Türkiye, and Egypt.
Reaffirming Malaysia’s stance on international law, Mr Anwar defended Iran’s right to defend its sovereignty, particularly in the face of continued strikes in the country and in Lebanon. However, he balanced this with an urgent plea for “maximum restraint” to ensure that the civilian populations and infrastructure of the Gulf states are not drawn further into a conflict “they did not choose.” He emphasised that any negotiation must proceed based on genuine intent, rather than simply managing the tempo of conflict for tactical advantage, noting that the international community has seen too many ceasefires that function as temporary pauses rather than durable conclusions.
The Malaysian prime minister also took a sharp swipe at the “uneven” application of the rules-based international order by global powers. He argued that international law cannot be invoked selectively, shielding one party from accountability while denying another its inherent right to self-defence. The statement follows a flurry of high-level telephonic engagements between Mr Anwar and leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Türkiye, Egypt, Indonesia, and Japan. While major powers have remained cautious regarding the finality of any scheduled meetings, the diplomatic momentum suggests that Pakistan is once again attempting to serve as a pivotal bridge between the East and the West.
