PAKISTAN will surely go down in the annals of history as a country whose sincere and relentless efforts, neutrality and principled stand on a grave conflict helped pull the inhumanity from the brink of an imminent disaster.
It is evident from the world-wide lavish praise being showered on the leadership of the country – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister/Minister for Foreign Affairs Ishaq Dar and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir – for their proactive engagement and statesmanship that led to a ceasefire, re-opening of Strait of Hormuz and an agreement for talks in national capital Islamabad on April 10 to finalize and formalize a comprehensive agreement aimed at ending hostilities. The trio definitely deserves the Nobel Peace Prize for their hard work, commitment and practical contribution to the cause of peace and security of the globe.
The understanding that the warring sides reached courtesy mediation of Pakistan is not a mean development given extreme and unbending positions adopted by them and inability of the institutions like the United Nations, NATO and OIC to intervene despite the fact that the conflict was assuming alarming dimensions. The abrupt turnaround capped a whirlwind day that was dominated by Trump’s threat to destroy every bridge and power plant in Iran unless Tehran reopened the strait, which unnerved world leaders, rattled global financial and energy markets and drew widespread condemnation, including criticism from the head of the United Nations and Pope Leo. Stakes were high as the US President threatened ‘a whole civilization will die tonight’ if Iran misses the deal deadline, prompting fears that Washington might be contemplating a nuclear strike against Iran where millions of people gathered on bridges and the premises of power plants as a mark of their resolve to protect the motherland at all costs. As the entire world was on tenterhooks, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif launched an urgent appeal to the United States to extend the deadline for two weeks and to Iran to re-open the Strait of Hormuz for the same duration to pave the way for the peace process to produce tangible outcome. Good sense prevailed in Washington and Tehran with both ultimately agreeing to a temporary ceasefire and talks in Islamabad and announcement of the breakthrough not only solaced tense nerves but also had a salutary effect on oil prices, which tumbled by about sixteen percent. There are bright prospects for a comprehensive settlement during Islamabad talks provided all sides listen to the call of the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to comply with their obligations under international law and to abide by the terms of the ceasefire in order to pave the way toward a lasting and comprehensive peace in the region. Subject to reasonable attitude, an accord is within sight as President Trump said they were ‘very far along with a definitive Agreement concerning Long term PEACE with Iran, and PEACE in the Middle East.’ He is not insisting on his 15-point proposal and instead described Iran’s 10-point plan as a workable basis on which to negotiate. Trump also claimed that almost all of the various points of past contention have been agreed to between the United States and Iran, but a two week period will allow the Agreement to be finalized and consummated. However, some irritants could spoil the environment for the talks as is highlighted by the statement issued by the office of Israeli Prime Minister that the ceasefire does not include the one on the Lebanese front despite the fact that the Pakistan PM clearly referred to it in his statement. Similarly, Iran needs to do self-accountability as continued attacks on oil facilities in Saudi Arabia underlined internal contradictions in the country’s power hierarchy. It is regrettable that Iran targeted KSA despite the fact the two countries had a peace agreement brokered by China and credit squarely goes to the wise leadership of the Kingdom, which exercised maximum restraint despite having the capability to respond in kind. Iran must understand that a conflict with KSA means initiation of unending sectarian tension across the Islamic world, responsibility for which will rest on Tehran.
