During the current week, in the arena of global politics and especially amid the ongoing tensions in the Middle East, such a feat occurred that not only left anti-Pakistan forces but also international observers astonished and perplexed.
The threat by U.S. President Donald Trump to destroy Iranian civilization had sounded a severe alarm for human lives and global peace across the entire region. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards had made it clear that in case of any attack, U.S.-related installations in Gulf states would not remain safe, which created the possibility of a major humanitarian crisis.
Pakistan’s political and military leadership, in this perilous situation, accomplished what was scarcely conceivable for any nation in the region, including India. Under the stewardship of Field Marshal Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the country, through transparency, sincerity, and prudent diplomacy, orchestrated such a sophisticated international diplomatic endeavor that the world’s foremost military and nuclear power, the United States, relinquished its fixation on obliterating Iran and proclaimed a two-week ceasefire. This resolution constituted a startling development not only for Iran but also for Gulf countries, the international community, and the U.S. administration itself, striking like a thunderbolt upon the hearts of Pakistan’s perennial adversaries such as India and Israel along with their leadership.
Although several politicians and intellectuals in India have criticized the Modi government, among them a very prominent name in independent politics and diplomacy, Shashi Tharoor, while speaking during a TV program, openly admitted in clear words that during the Iran war Pakistan gained a new diplomatic identity, while India not only fell behind in global politics and diplomacy but also lost its previous influence in the region.
He said, “If you saw Donald Trump’s latest tweet crediting Pakistan for stepping in to end the Iranian war, you know why I am in shock. It feels like a massive strategic failure by the Indian government. I have never criticized PM Modi or the BJP before, but today, silence is just blind loyalty.”
“The harsh reality is that Pakistan is taking center stage, rebranding itself as a global net stability provider. Meanwhile, India is bleeding diplomatic capital and rapidly losing its influence on the world stage. And what is our country focused on? The entire nation is distracted, cheering for movies like Dhurandhar 2. We are celebrating cinematic fantasies while losing in the real world. I am speaking out today because we can no longer afford to be distracted while the global order shifts against us,” he added.
This milestone of Pakistan’s foreign policy becomes even more significant when it is seen that it began with India’s aggressive behavior and the inclusion of certain points of the National Action Plan into foreign policy. In the battle of truth against India, Pakistan adopted a transparency-based stance not only on the military front but also on the diplomatic front. In the May meeting, it was once again made clear that if aggression was carried out again against Pakistan, it would be given a befitting reply, and when Pakistan delivered that befitting response, due to Pakistan’s transparent stance, our Field Marshal was specially given a visit to the Oval Office at the White House, which is a practical expression of respect and honor for Pakistan.
Iran also viewed Pakistan’s efforts positively. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian declared the immediate end of Israeli attacks in Lebanon as a fundamental component of his 10-point peace plan, while Iran’s parliamentary speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf emphasized that any violation of ceasefire points by any party in the ongoing negotiations for resolving the conflict is unacceptable. Iran made it clear that trust in the U.S. team’s previous negotiators, particularly Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, is limited, and therefore there is a possibility of the next phase of negotiations starting from Saturday under the leadership of U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance.
During this period, Israel’s bombing of Lebanon and attempts to promote violence in the region were a serious challenge, because these efforts could sabotage global peace. The international community, especially the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross, expressed serious concern over the killing and destruction in Lebanon and declared it a war crime.
During this period, Pakistan’s foreign policy not only achieved notable triumphs on the diplomatic front but also generated palpable repercussions at the economic and domestic levels. Although economic matters are not moving forward at the desired pace, the national leadership needs to take steps with immediate and realistic planning so that the benefits of political successes can also be transferred to the economic field.
Pakistan’s current foreign policy has proven that how military strength along with transparent diplomacy, sincerity, and solid planning can make an impact at the global level. Alarmingly, tensions in the region still persist, and the second phase of the agreed ceasefire between Iran and the United States is extremely delicate, and during this time stopping the promotion of violence in Lebanon is the top priority.
Despite possible false-flag operations by Israel, attempts to sabotage peace efforts in the region, and different priorities of global powers, Pakistan has adopted a transparent and consistent stance, which further strengthens Pakistan’s credibility and mediation status at the global level. The transparency, sincerity, and hard work of Pakistan’s leadership not only reduced the possibility of war in the region but also set an example for international observers of how a middle-power country can strengthen its stance at the global level. Not only this, but this foreign policy of Pakistan, which was unified on military and diplomatic fronts, will also be taught in textbooks in the future so that students and researchers can understand how an effective role can be played in global crises through the beautiful combination of military diplomacy honed with traditional diplomacy.
