Pakistan Mediates US-Iran Peace Agreement
Pakistan has played a key role as a mediator between the USA and Iran. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has officially confirmed that a text has been agreed upon to facilitate a peace agreement, which will be detailed over the coming weeks. A signing ceremony is scheduled to take place in Geneva, Switzerland, on Friday this week.
World leaders, including United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, have expressed deep appreciation for Pakistan’s role and that of other countries. Pakistan has been able to assist in this important process for global peace due to its close ties with both the USA and Iran.
More work remains and will be carried out during the 60-day ceasefire. It is the responsibility of the two main parties to finalize the agreement with other regional parties, including Israel, Lebanon, the Hezbollah organization, the Persian Gulf states, and other countries.
Details of the Agreement
The electronic signing of the text for the agreement took place last Sunday, on President Trump’s 80th birthday. It is said that parts of the current agreement are similar to what President Barack Obama entered into with Iran in 2015, an agreement from which the USA withdrew in 2018 during Trump’s first presidential term.
The role of the Lebanese Hezbollah organization, with a military wing termed terrorist and supported by Iran, is a main reason for the conflict with Israel continuing. Israel has been unwilling to agree on peace with Lebanon. Recently, Israel has implemented many major war attacks, especially in southern Lebanon, forcing hundreds of thousands into displacement. Hezbollah has retaliated with drone attacks on Israel.
Pakistan’s Continued Role
Pakistan can also play a major role in planning and practical implementation, as it already has major experience from international peacekeeping missions recognized and funded by the UN. Pakistani universities have training and research programs in these fields.
Even if Pakistan as a peace facilitator cannot always succeed, it is positive that it takes part. This reflects positively on the country abroad and is important for how Pakistanis view themselves, including how young people feel about its international standing.
Strait of Hormuz and International Oversight
Iran’s new dimension of controlling the Strait of Hormuz is not going to end soon. The Strait should be open in accordance with international laws of the sea. It is likely that Iran and other Persian Gulf states will want to have the main say or control over the Strait, possibly with some form of international oversight, not by the USA, but by an organization like the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), the UN specialized agency for safety and security in shipping.
Sports and Peace
Sports can also be a tool for peace, as a way of meeting and talking regardless of opinions and backgrounds. Peace efforts have to do with getting to know one another and increasing respect for all. During the World Cup in Football, sports also mean to compete and try to win, but it is important to remember that sports competitions are meant to be games.
Pakistan’s connection to the ongoing World Cup in Football held in the USA, Mexico, and Canada includes that most of the footballs used have been made in Sialkot, Pakistan. In 2010, a visit to Sialkot showed how private companies organized football manufacturing, with a worker hand-stitching up to five footballs per day. Pakistan has become the world’s leading manufacturer of the best footballs.
It is good if substantive topics are discussed in connection with sports events, such as salaries, drugs, human trafficking, migration, and economic disparities. If we can begin to talk more together, as lay and learned, we can hope for better cooperation and fewer conflicts in the world.
