From battlefield to diplomatic front: How Shehbaz, Gen Asim turned the tables on India

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir have emerged as the winning duo of Pakistan, demonstrating exceptional unity and leadership during the country’s recent confrontation with India.

Sources familiar with the matter confirmed to The News that the prime minister and the Army Chief remained in constant contact throughout the crisis, coordinating every major decision from policy formulation to its timely implementation. Their partnership was evident on all fronts - military, diplomatic, and political.

“There was seamless coordination, trust-based relationship underpinned by understanding and respect for each other’s role and responsibility and thinking in unison that brought such results for Pakistan,” a key source who was witness to what was going on in the power corridors said. About the level of coordination, the source said, “It was 24/7 real time exchange of two-way information showing extensive consultations between them and their teams.”

The News was told that the key advisers around both the leaders strengthened, nurtured and protected this partnership and teamwork.

“It was no more like a few people basking in the lawns of PM House and taking decisions about destiny of nation,” the source said, adding that the National Security Committee, Cabinet and senior leaderships’ huddles were the forums for decision making. While General Munir led a meticulously executed military strategy that outmaneuvered Indian forces, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, along with Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, spearheaded an aggressive diplomatic campaign that effectively presented Pakistan’s case on the international stage and put India on the back foot.

Officials said that since the Pahalgam incident, both civil and military leadership maintained a united front. Pakistan’s stance has drawn praise not only domestically but also from the international community for its clarity and restraint in the face of provocation.

Throughout the short war and after the ceasefire, the prime minister and the Army Chief were seen side by side visiting border areas to boost troop morale, attending the funerals of martyrs, meeting with their families for condolence, and checking on the injured in military and civilian hospitals.

In a show of national unity, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also reached out to key political stakeholders, including allies and the opposition PTI leadership, to forge a single national voice in condemning Indian aggression. The prime minister also kept the President in the loop. The prime minister directed his team to engage with PTI leadership to build national unity on the issue. Amid escalating tensions, Shehbaz Sharif extended an offer of dialogue to PTI, emphasising the need for a united front. Meanwhile, the DG ISPR expressed gratitude to ‘all political leaders’ and ‘all political parties’ for their unwavering support to the armed forces in the nation’s fight against Indian aggression.