PAKISTAN is not a party in Middle Eastern conflicts. Pakistan is the platform on which parties meet. Pakistan is not a camp – Pakistan is a corridor. Pakistan is not a combatant – Pakistan is a convenor. Pakistan is not a supplicant – Pakistan is a settlement state.

Pakistan is a state where rivals can talk. Pakistan is a state where messages can move. Pakistan is a state where ceasefires can be drafted, guarantees can be parked. Pakistan must become a state where funds can be escrowed and peace can be monetised.

Switzerland became Switzerland by doing three things. First, it institutionalised neutrality. Second, it defended credibility. Third, it monetised trust. Neutrality gave it distance. Credibility gave it weight. Trust gave it capital. Cold truth: Switzerland did not become rich because it was neutral. Switzerland became rich because its neutrality became credible,........

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