Pakistan-brokered ceasefire
The mother of all deals has finally come into being as a ceasefire has been announced among warring parties in the Middle East conflict after death and destruction of 40 days. Not only have the Middle East and the Persian Gulf heaved a sigh of relief, but also the world at large as it had slid into an economic recession coming on the heels of an energy crisis that was gradually unfolding due the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran as part of its strategy to retaliate the US-Israel strikes.
The credit for brokering the ceasefire deal inevitably goes to Pakistan, as its astute diplomacy, unflinching determination and geopolitically-correct direction compelled both the United States and Iran to agree to cessation of hostilities. Worth acknowledging is the role of Field Marshal Asim Munir, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar who exhibited outstanding mantle, remarkable resilience and incredible leadership in prevailing over odd circumstances to realise this thaw.
The 15-day silencing of guns is a bonanza in itself on the path of peace, and the talks that are scheduled in Islamabad for Friday between Washington and Tehran are an exemplary feat in diplomacy. Pakistan, undoubtedly, is now the cathedral of realism, and has shown the way during extreme odds even when major powers such as Russia, China and the European Union, as well as Turkiye, had resigned to fate and taken a backseat. The truce is laudable and must graduate into a permanent settlement. The best way out for the respective leadership in the US and Iran is to focus on a broad-based format of durable peace, and address the irritants that had led them over the brink twice in the last nine months.
The talks must resurrect a mechanism of confidence-building measures, ensuring undisputed security to the Gulf States; addressing the Palestinian Statehood; bringing in a new undeterred navigation mechanism through the strategic Straits of Hormuz; and last but not least, taming Israel's conventional-cum-criminal trigger-happiness against its Arab neighbours and Iran. The fact that Lebanon is out of the circumference of the ceasefire agreed on Wednesday, and Israel has already resorted to shelling over the besieged country is a point of grave concern, and runs the risk of derailing the peace of the brave reached after an uphill task of persuasion.
It also needs to be commended that Pakistan has reached out to each and every GCC country that was impacted during the war, making them realise that it is acting as a deterrence force, and sincerely pushing the envelope for peace. Saudi Arabia, likewise, deserves appreciation for keeping its cool, especially after Jubail came under fire the other day. The restraint shown by Riyadh had turned the tables and saved the region from unnecessary conflagration. Now is the time for a grand huddle to chalk a Yalta-type accord and invent a new world order which sits in cognisance of International Law, upholds territorial integrity and sovereignty of respective states, and assures a level-playing field to everyone in terms of peaceful nuclear energy.
Islamabad had led from the front, and it would be befitting on its part to keep the intricate parleys under the shadows of secrecy so that they bear desired results for all and sundry. It is also incumbent upon Gulf States, Iran and the US, as well as China, to stand with Pakistan, and see to it that its prescription for peace and economic sustainability is honoured once the dust of warmongering settles down.