PAKISTAN has consistently strived for de-escalation and peace between the United States and Iran, regardless of the repeated cycles of confrontation. Through sustained engagement and continued efforts to keep dialogue alive, Islamabad has sought to create conditions for a lasting settlement. The latest visit of Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir to Tehran is another expression of this unwavering commitment.
Field Marshal’s meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian comes at a critical juncture. His investment of time, energy and personal engagement in facilitating dialogue deserves appreciation. The easing of oil prices following the latest diplomatic development, offers a reminder of how sensitive global markets are to prospects of peace. Brent crude, after touching a five-month high of $111.99 a barrel, settled at $108.79 on Tuesday. While prices are influenced by multiple factors, the market’s fluctuations underline the economic value of de-escalation. Pakistan’s efforts have continued despite uncertainty over the course of the conflict. As Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi stated the other day, Pakistan has not given up on its pursuit of peace. The United States and Iran must seize the available diplomatic openings and reach an agreement ensuring a permanent cessation of hostilities. The cost of prolonging this war is simply too high. Escalating tensions threaten energy supplies, disrupt global trade, push up oil prices and deepen inflationary pressures. For developing economies already facing financial constraints, further energy shocks could have serious consequences for businesses, governments and ordinary citizens. Equally worrying is the widening scope of the conflict. Houthi attacks on Saudi infrastructure and reports of vessel attacks in the Gulf demonstrate the danger of hostilities spreading beyond their original frontlines. Such developments threaten vital energy routes and risk drawing more countries into an already volatile situation. The time has now come for all parties to respond with seriousness. A permanent end to hostilities is no longer merely a diplomatic objective; it is an urgent global necessity. The world needs stability, not another cycle of confrontation, uncertainty and economic hardship.