Right-imagine Pakistan

I have always believed that we already have much to be proud of – we don’t need to reimagine Pakistan, but rather to rightly imagine it. The real challenge has been aligning our reality with our potential.

Unfortunately, we have fallen short of this due to political, economic and diplomatic inadequacies and compromises. However, on May 10, 2025, Allah granted us a historic opportunity when Pakistan achieved a decisive victory against an arrogant India. This was not merely a military triumph but a comprehensive success across diplomatic, media, moral and humanitarian fronts.

The most soul-warming outcome was the much-needed national unity that emerged from this moment. Media, social media, politicians across the spectrum, religious leaders, the business community, academia and the general public stood shoulder to shoulder like a Bunyan-um-Marsoos alongside our brave armed forces. It was a whole-of-nation response we hadn’t seen in a long time.

It was an exemplary display of unity of command, capacity fusion and inter-institutional harmony. Kudos to the armed forces and the Pakistan Air Force for setting a new benchmark in the history of modern warfare.

The government showed magnanimity by giving full credit where it was due, bestowing upon COAS General Asim Munir the rare distinction of field marshal. Undoubtedly, he choreographed the entire effort and led from the front with remarkable courage, prudence and military acumen.

There is no doubt also that the Pakistan Air Force performed wonders and deserves full applause. The very concept of warfare has been redefined. This reimagining of modern warfare will likely be studied as a specialised subject in military academies worldwide.

The post-May 10 Pakistan is, in every sense, a New Pakistan that stands tall in the global community with its head held high. The green passport has regained lost respect and the world’s perceptions – and realities – about Pakistan have shifted significantly.

It was beyond imagination that public sentiment could change so dramatically in such a short time. Yet, a 93 per cent positive turnaround in favour of the Pakistan Army, as reported by a Gallup survey, is nothing short of a miracle.

The future implications of the Bunyan-um-Marsoos moment are far-reaching – spanning regional peace, political harmony, economic revival, diplomacy and national dignity. It is imperative that we fully capitalise on this moment to sustain and maximise its dividends.

We are now uniquely positioned to initiate a new reset that is rooted internally in harmony, prosperity, peace and social justice, and externally in regional and global peace, sovereignty, respectful collaboration and national pride.

We must not allow narrow political interests to distract us from the bigger picture. Political stability is urgently needed, and it can only be achieved by ensuring equal space for all political stakeholders in a genuine national dialogue. A truly inclusive All Parties Conference (APC), with all major actors at the table to build consensus on vital national issues, should be the first step. This can be followed by an Extraordinary Meeting of the National Security Council to ratify the decisions taken.

Once internal consensus on the ‘new reset’ is achieved, it should be formalised with the endorsement of all political forces – enshrining national integrity, unity, regional peace and a dignity-driven foreign policy as the cornerstone of our future direction.

Diplomatically, we need to sustain and augment our diplomatic prowess and outreach. If this Dar-led diplomacy can win over the world’s support in a few days, we can do it in many other ways too. Our relations should be shaped by respect for our sovereignty, dignity, geo-economic interests, human security and lasting peace.

Those who support us are our friends and those who don’t, no matter their power or wealth, should be dealt with firmly and fairly. It is disheartening when we go above and beyond for others, only to be met with a lack of fair reciprocation. We must strike a balanced approach without compromising our national dignity.

The nation must now decide which political system it truly wants to adopt – but whatever the choice, it must be a complete and authentic model, not a selective version that benefits a few. If a half-baked system hasn’t delivered in the past, it is unlikely to do so in the future.

What we have long called a democracy is, in truth, far from it. The current system offers only one element of democratic practice – voting – and even that comes with many ‘ifs and buts’. In substance and spirit, it lacks the essence of genuine democratic governance.

Democracy can’t work in a vacuum, if it has to be, let it be in toto or it will continue failing as it has been in the past. If democracy’s czars really believe in it, let them first manifest it in their parties, persona and governance system.

The litmus test is how merit, performance, transparency, public accountability, equality and voice to the voiceless is promoted? Let ‘Pakistaniat’ take precedence in all forms and manifestations.

The writer is a former federal health minister. He can be reached at: Nadeemjan77@hotmail.com