Pakistan made a commendable effort in bringing about a two-week ceasefire and then getting high-level delegations from both countries to sit across the table for direct negotiations. It was, however, too much to expect that an agreement would be reached in such a short timespan.

What can Pakistan do now to assist the process, given its economic and other stakes in a resolution of this crisis? Essentially, Pakistan was a facilitator and, partially in Islamabad, a mediator. Going forward, if continued negotiations are held in Pakistan or elsewhere, what should be Pakistan’s position on the key nuclear issue for both countries? Reportedly, the US has asked for a twenty-year suspension of all nuclear activities, or at least of enrichment, with Iran offering a five-year suspension on enrichment.

It is useful to review the distinction introduced into the treatment of peaceful nuclear uses in the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Originally, the NPT, which divided the world into nuclear-weapon states and the rest, was a grand bargain to induce Germany and Japan, who lost in World War II, and then others, to give up nuclear weapons ambitions in return for the right to unrestricted access to research and development of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. Article IV states that “Nothing in this Treaty shall be interpreted as affecting the inalienable right of all the Parties to the Treaty to develop research, production and use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes without discrimination and in conformity with Articles I and II of this Treaty.” These two articles prohibited countries from giving or receiving nuclear weapons or their manufacture. A........

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