When, last week, President Trump met eight Muslim leaders on the sidelines of the 80th UN General Assembly session, it was clear that something significant was afoot. For an average Pakistani, it was a pleasant surprise to note that their prime minister was one of those eight leaders. Pakistan has witnessed a status upgrade since the four-day war with India in May this year. Shortly before the UNGA session, Pakistan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia surprised the world by forging a comprehensive strategic defence alliance. This materialised immediately after an Israeli attack in Doha, Qatar. There was, therefore, plenty to discuss at the meeting.

The next day, the Indian media's hate-filled convulsions revealed that PM Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir were to meet President Trump. When something this big happens, reactions in Pakistan are quite interesting. A visible majority celebrates such milestones. Gradually, however, cynics begin to emerge. Call it an unbearable lightness of being, low self-esteem, trauma or perpetual insecurity, they seem convinced that, on merit, Pakistan does not deserve such importance. So inevitably there must be an angle. If space permits, we may try to explore the roots of this cynicism later. At that time jealousies kick in and hecklers spring to life. In short, every happy moment is turned into a tamasha.

But, as was pointed out earlier, it was evident that something important was brewing. So, when President Trump unveiled his twenty-point plan to end the Israeli war in Gaza, I read it word for word several times. I found nothing objectionable in it. The biggest advantage of the plan was the immediate cessation of hostilities. This meant an end to the deaths of innocents. And while there........

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