(Abdul Basit Alvi)
A few days ago, I read a newspaper article that felt deeply disconnected from the reality I see every day because it dismissed Pakistan’s rise and treated all of our progress as an illusion despite the global praise Pakistan is receiving after its remarkable success in Marka-e-Huq against India. Marka-e-Huq was not just a military encounter but a display of strategy, courage, national unity, discipline, precision, restraint, and careful planning under immense pressure against a much larger neighbor with a far stronger economy and military budget, making the achievement even more worthy of celebration. Military experts around the world, along with Donald Trump and many countries, appreciated our country, our army, our Prime Minister, and our Field Marshal, yet some people within Pakistan continue to reject this praise and recognition, seeing darkness where others see hope and dismissing every achievement as a hidden failure. Their reaction does not seem based on facts or evidence but on personal bitterness and an unwillingness to accept success achieved by anyone other than themselves, especially when the real heroes are our soldiers and leaders. Pakistan’s selection as a mediator between the United States and Iran also reflects immense international trust because both countries agreed to let Pakistan stand between them after decades of balanced relations with both Washington and Tehran. India now seems to have moved into the background while Pakistan has emerged at the forefront of international affairs despite years of attempts to isolate us through lobbying and propaganda. Pakistan is mediating major international conflicts while India deals with political unrest, economic slowdown, and social tensions, and today’s Pakistan appears stronger in defense, diplomacy, economy, and internal security than ever before. After Marka-e-Huq, the world started giving greater importance to Pakistan because our actions changed regional perceptions of power, while Saudi Arabia signed a defense agreement with Pakistan and interest in JF Thunder aircraft increased because of our growing military strength and successful demonstrations. Defense has become Pakistan’s brand and is expected to generate billions of dollars, strengthen the rupee, reduce dependence on foreign loans, create high-tech jobs, and increase political influence, while Pakistan is also trying to reduce tensions between the United States and Iran by promoting dialogue, peace, and cooperation. If Pakistan succeeds, our ports will become busier, trade routes safer, investment stronger, energy costs lower, and our international standing even higher, making Pakistan an indispensable regional power. Pakistan’s rise and friendly relations with everyone will attract investment, prosperity, security, and respect, whereas isolation will only lead to sanctions, trade barriers, hostility, fewer opportunities, and further destruction. Countries respected by many receive loans, investments, technology transfers, and political support, while isolated nations face more enemies and greater difficulties in every aspect of national life. Pakistan has chosen the path of friendship, yet the author of the newspaper article seems to prefer isolation without explaining how it would benefit ordinary Pakistanis.
The law and order situation in Pakistan today is also far better than in previous decades because terrorism in KPK and Balochistan has decreased through stricter Afghanistan-related policies, border fencing, intelligence sharing, military operations, and efforts to cut terrorist funding and supply lines. Thousands of innocent lives have been saved, highways have become safer, businesses now operate in previously militant-controlled areas, and children can attend schools once threatened by extremists. Present-day Pakistan is far better than the era associated with political leaders admired by the article’s author, who left behind corruption, economic mismanagement, inflation, low growth, and worsening security conditions, while some intellectuals and political supporters celebrate only when their own side succeeds and react with jealousy whenever Pakistan or its leadership receives international praise. I keep asking what alternative exists to maintaining good relations with all nations because hostility and isolation would only bring sanctions, poverty, bloodshed, suffering, and more difficulties for future generations, whereas friendly diplomacy has already brought Pakistan respect from powerful nations, defense agreements, opportunities to expand its defense industry, and trust as a mediator between major powers. The modern world demands relevance, cooperation, and positive relations because no country can succeed by isolating itself, making enemies of everyone, or refusing to cooperate. Success belongs to those who build bridges, make friends, cooperate on shared challenges, and find common ground even with former rivals. Writers and intellectuals should behave responsibly instead of spreading hopelessness and frustration, because the country is bigger than any individual, party, family, or disappointment, and when we put the nation first, everyone benefits together. The whole world is already witnessing Pakistan’s rise through diplomatic statements, defense agreements, trade deals, and praise from world leaders, and no bitter commentary or negative articles can change that reality. Pakistan’s growing relevance and friendly relations will bring progress, prosperity, and opportunities for all citizens, and every child born today will inherit a stronger, more respected, and more prosperous nation than previous generations did. That progress should be celebrated, strengthened, and protected from those driven by envy or bitterness, because experience has already shown that being dear to everyone has brought Pakistan respect, stronger alliances, reduced terrorism and violence, a rising international stature, and a future of peace, dignity, security, and prosperity for generations to come.
