For a moment, let your imagination fly.

It is October 27, 1962. U.S. destroyers are harassing Soviet submarine B-59 with practice depth charges to force it to the surface. Out of contact with Moscow, Captain Valentin Savitsky and the political officer believe that war has started and decide to launch a 10-kiloton nuclear torpedo.However, protocol requires approval from three officers.

Vasili Arkhipov, as second-in-command, refuses to agree, despite the intense pressure and failing air quality on the submarine. His refusal to authorise the launch of the nuclear torpedo averts a near-certain nuclear war.

Now, come to April 7, 2026. From the threat of “A whole civilisation will die tonight, never to be brought back again” to a ceasefire for two weeks, negotiated by Pakistan between Iran and the USA, is a story of extremes.Hollywood can never do justice to either.

As a student of geostrategy and having been a practitioner of law enforcement, I can say with pride that the spectacle we witnessed in Islamabad on 10th and 11th April 2026 was a remarkable show of Pakistani diplomatic finesse.

This was not the first time. Pakistan has a rich history of helping to resolve conflicts and changing the direction of world history.

Pakistan played a pivotal role as the secret intermediary for President Nixon’s 1972 visit to China, acting as the key diplomatic conduit that allowed Washington and Beijing to establish contact. This was the most important rapprochement of the second half of the 20th century.

Pakistan hosted the historic 2nd OIC Summit in Lahore from........

© The Friday Times