Cessation of hostilities in each war offers a moment to reflect on what was lost and what was gained. The Israel-US-Iran war, which seemed impossible to end only a heartbeat ago, has offered a veritable library of lessons to us all. And we shall focus on some of those lessons in another piece. But today, let us give credit where credit is due.
Remembering the Controversies and Fake News
Remember the controversy that surfaced regarding a briefing to clerics of a sect? Or the violence in Karachi and the northern parts of the country? Or all that fake news shared by some disgruntled pundits about Pakistan facilitating the attack on Iran? I wonder how it feels today to be one of those individuals who either doubted or deliberately spread lies against the state of Pakistan, its army or its army chief.
Pakistan's Emergence as a Saving Grace
Pakistan has emerged as the saving grace for the region. Credit to the nation is secondary compared to what has been achieved so far. Millions of innocent lives will not be destroyed now. The future of billions will not be cancelled because of the second-order effects of a war that brought the global economy to its knees.
The Role of Key Leaders
Now, how does it feel to be Field Marshal Asim Munir or a member of his military and intelligence teams when they played such a central role in ending a massive catastrophe? Or to be Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif when he signed that MoU to bring an end to the war? Or to be Foreign Minister/Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, who, despite a fracture due to a fall, travelled to China in pursuit of peace? We will never know because our media has stopped asking these questions. I bet it feels great. The country should be proud of these gentlemen and what they showed to the world.
Detractors and Their Influence
And let us also dwell upon what the world wanted to see, not what was on display. The Israeli influence network just wanted Iran to be destroyed and it cared little what came in the way. So, it accused Pakistan of being up to something sinister. Due to this network's ingress in the Arab and Muslim world, we saw brazen attempts to create misunderstanding between the GCC countries. India's similar influence campaign aided this network. The Indian network just wanted to belittle Pakistan and delegitimise the entire peace process because of its hostility towards this nation. When you are so blinded by hate that the fate of ninety million people, and in many aspects the entire human race, seems secondary to the trifling issue of who gets credit for peace, you need to see a shrink.
These networks are influential in the West. Instead of focusing on the peace efforts and its dividends, they seemed more keen to shoot the messenger. How did this impoverished country, badly shaken by terrorism, left for dead ages ago, manage to insert itself in the middle of such an important conversation? Something sinister must be afoot.
Pakistan's Message to the World
I bring up these details because, other than being divisive, they also undercut the message Pakistan has been trying to give to the world. We have spent our national lifetime participating in your geopolitical games, paid a heavy price in blood and money and are exhausted. We harbour no malice against any nation in the world. We do not want to be a part of wars any longer. But for peace, harmony and prosperity you can count on us. This is a noble sentiment which our detractors refuse to acknowledge. But even so it is plain that virtue has a life of its own, and our leadership has proudly shown us that it can produce the desired results.
Regional and International Contributions
As for the misgivings in the Arab world, I don't think the world truly appreciates the role played by the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Saudi Arabia has a strategic partnership with Pakistan. A veto from the crown prince could have derailed the whole process. And like other GCC countries, Saudi Arabia came under fire. By exhibiting strategic patience and incredible foresight, the young prince saved the region from the most assured devastation. And the brilliance of it all is that it did not come at the cost of his own nation. By activating the East-West crude pipeline and optimising the Red Sea trade, he managed to undercut the economic damage caused by the Strait of Hormuz blockade.
Much too much has been said and written on Qatar's role and its leadership's time and effort. All of this makes you proud. Turkiye, Egypt, China and a whole host of nations deserve our unalloyed appreciation and gratitude. But none of this would have been possible had it not been for the readiness of the US and Iranian leadership to listen to reason. It is easier to start a war than to end it. By not turning Iran into another quagmire, President Trump reminded the world that he has his people's interest at heart. Likewise, the Iranian leadership chose to behave rationally through dialogue in the face of such devastation. I think it was the finest hour for Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Their role was crucial in offering some visibility to the opaque business of war, for which they shall be remembered.
Will the Peace Hold?
Now let us address the question on your mind. Despite our victory lap, will the peace hold? I have no doubt that it will. Regardless of the Netanyahu government's desperate attempts to sabotage the peace process through the war in Lebanon, we have got this far. What is more, the war had reached a point where it could permanently damage what mattered the most to each country. Inflation and destruction of life and property in Iran have reached an unprecedented scale. It needs to attend to its people. And a devastated global economy is the last thing the US will want. Then we can count on the countries of the region, including Pakistan and the GCC states, to continue their efforts for a final deal. Optics are now an intrinsic part of the war effort. So this back and forth will continue for a little. But at the end of the sixty-day period, I am hopeful that we will have a final deal.
Political Dynamics and Future Prospects
Then do not discount the movement within hostile systems. Israel soon heads to elections. In the unexpected rise of Gadi Eisenkot, a former Israeli chief of staff, some see the second coming of Yitzhak Rabin. Similarly, while we have heard what the Indian External Affairs Minister and Indian punditry said about Pakistan, have you noticed that PM Modi has not uttered a single disparaging word against Pakistan's peace efforts? Granted, while praising the breakthroughs, he could be more gracious and praise the country which made them possible. But I keep reminding myself that riding the hypernationalist tiger is not an easy chore.
