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. At the same time, Pakistan’s selection as a mediator between the United States and Iran reflects immense international trust because both countries, despite their long history of mistrust and conflict, agreed to let Pakistan stand between them after decades of Pakistan maintaining 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, as history has shown repeatedly. 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, supported by reduced terrorism in KPK and Balochistan because of 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. 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. By maintaining friendly relations globally, Pakistan has already gained respect from powerful nations, defense agreements, opportunities to expand its defense industry, and trust as a mediator between major powers, while hostility and unpleasantness would achieve nothing except more problems and more enemies for our children and grandchildren.

The modern world demands relevance, cooperation, and positive relations with all nations, as these are the true keys to success in the twenty-first century. No country, no matter how large or powerful, can succeed by hiding in a corner and refusing to talk to anyone. No country can become prosperous by making enemies of everyone and burning bridges with all potential partners. Success in this era belongs to those who build bridges, who make friends, who cooperate on shared challenges, and who find common ground even with former rivals. We, especially writers and intellectuals, need to behave as responsible and mature citizens instead of spreading hopelessness and frustration within society. Writers have a powerful voice, and they can choose to use that voice for construction or for destruction. Those who choose destruction are not helping Pakistan in any meaningful way. They are hurting Pakistan, and they will be judged harshly by history when the full story of this era is written. We must move beyond thinking only about “Me” and start thinking about “Us” as a nation with a shared destiny and shared challenges. The country is bigger than any one person, any one party, any one family, or any one disappointment. When we put the nation first, we all win together. When we put ourselves first, we all lose together.

The reality is what the whole world is witnessing and acknowledging every single day through diplomatic statements, defense agreements, trade deals, and words of praise from world leaders. Pakistan is rising and shining, and no amount of negative newspaper articles, no amount of bitter commentary, and no amount of personal disappointment can change that factual reality. The outcomes of Pakistan’s rise, its friendly relations with everyone, and its growing relevance in global affairs will ultimately bring progress, prosperity, and positive opportunities for the entire country and all Pakistanis, from the richest businessman to the poorest farmer. Every child born today in Pakistan will inherit a stronger, more respected, and more prosperous nation than the one I was born into decades ago. That is something to celebrate with joy and gratitude. That is something to build upon with hard work and determination. That is something to protect from those who would tear it down out of envy or bitterness. Let the disappointed author write whatever he wishes from his corner of frustration. Let the small group and the failed political gurus complain as much as they like about the success of others. The rest of us will continue to support a Pakistan that is dear to everyone, because we have seen with our own eyes and experienced in our own lives that this approach works. We have seen the praise from world leaders. We have seen the defense agreements with trusted allies. We have seen the reduction in terrorism and violence. We have seen the rising international stature of our nation. And we know, with complete confidence and without any doubt, that being dear to everyone has brought us this far and will take us even further into a future of peace, dignity, security, and prosperity for all Pakistanis, now and for generations to come.