Not long ago, Pakistan stood accused in global forums, hemmed in by narrative warfare, burdened by the label of “state sponsor of terror,” and largely excluded from meaningful multilateral decision-making. But today, we are witnessing an extraordinary reversal. Pakistan has not only regained the world’s trust, it has been handed responsibility.
Pakistan has recently been appointed as Chair of the UN Security Council’s 1267 Sanctions Committee, Vice-Chair of the Counter-Terrorism Committee, and Co-Chair of the Informal Working Group on Documentation and Sanctions. These are not ceremonial roles, they give Pakistan a decisive say in global counter-terrorism architecture, sanctions enforcement, and oversight of regional peace dynamics, particularly concerning Afghanistan.
This diplomatic turnaround is not accidental. It is the result of consistent re-calibration, not just in foreign policy but in how Pakistan presents its role to the world.
For years, voices from Washington to New Delhi labelled Pakistan a haven for terrorists. Indian think tanks, U.S. media, and regional actors pressed to isolate Pakistan diplomatically. But those voices are now facing international rejection. It is not just that Pakistan is being trusted, it is that it is being entrusted with the very mandate it was once accused of violating.
If the United Nations, the most credible multilateral platform on Earth, is giving Pakistan the lead on terrorism-related committees, then the world is not just endorsing our narrative — it is endorsing our sacrifice, our strategic clarity, and our operational performance.
This shift comes at a time when Pakistan is also enjoying an unprecedented moment of geostrategic alignment. For the first time in recent history, Pakistan maintains simultaneously stable relations with the United States, China, Iran, and Saudi Arabia. This level of balance is rare and delicate, but it gives Pakistan the kind of neutrality and access that major global players seek.
Even President Trump’s public praise for Pakistan’s leadership, and his statements on expanding trade over tension in South Asia, reflect the changing winds. It’s no longer about alliances of coercion or dependency. A trade-forward, regionally integrated, and diplomatically proactive Pakistan is being acknowledged.
Compare this with India’s position. Not long ago, Indian diplomats were touting Shashi Tharoor’s international clout, mocking Pakistan’s delegation led by a so-called “child” in Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. But today, India’s diplomatic weight is shrinking, while Pakistan’s voice carries further, not through rhetoric, but through results.
Pakistan has played its cards smartly, not just by engaging power blocs like China and Russia, but by leveraging soft diplomacy in Turkey, Gulf nations, and Central Asia. This has isolated Indian attempts to dominate the narrative and shifted regional gravity away from New Delhi’s long shadow.
Perhaps the most consequential change has come from the ideological theatre, and again, Pakistan’s position is being vindicated.
For the first time, the Afghan Taliban’s supreme leader Maulvi Hibatullah Akhundzada has issued a clear fatwa: any militant activity against Pakistan from Afghan soil is not Jihad, but ‘fasad’ (anarchy). This declaration, coming from the top clerical authority of the Taliban, has delegitimized the TTP’s entire existence and closed the door on their recruitment propaganda.
This ideological shift is already being enforced. In three waves over the last two months, the Taliban have arrested dozens of TTP operatives, including key recruiters and preachers, who were encouraging violence against Pakistan. For the first time, there is visible action from Kabul, not just vague promises.
This is the beginning of the end of the proxy era.
Pakistan, too, is preparing. A full-scale security operation in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is imminent, backed by detailed roadmaps and inter-agency consensus. It is being launched not just with national support, but with the moral backing of the region, especially China, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. These countries, aligned behind Pakistan, are also pressuring the Taliban to ensure Afghan soil is no longer misused.
The most striking development? Pakistan may soon become the first country to recognize the Taliban government, as confirmed by senior officials. When that happens, and it will happen post-Eid, others like the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar will follow. This will open the door for Afghanistan’s inclusion in CPEC and broader connectivity with Central Asia.
The conversation is also shifting in Washington. A major American think tank has now suggested that Pakistan and the U.S. should focus on mutual economic and security interests, rather than ideological friction. This is not a minor adjustment, it reflects a paradigm shift in how policymakers view Pakistan’s utility.
President Trump’s statements about large-scale U.S.-Pakistan trade, and his urging of both Pakistan and India to “trade, not fight,” indicate that America, too, sees Pakistan as a peace partner in the region, not just a counter-terrorism tool.
We must also not overlook the psychological impact of these developments. For years, Pakistanis were told we were isolated, weak, or irrelevant. Today, Pakistan is the pivot, not just in narrative but in real terms:
Militarily active, but diplomatically restrained
Economically ambitious, but regionally cooperative
Ideologically supported, even by those once seen as adversaries
When we look around, no neighbour is actively hostile. All major powers are either cooperating with or counting on Pakistan. And in this context, the re-engagement with Afghanistan becomes not only viable but inevitable.
The Taliban are under regional pressure, and regional unity matters more than ever. If four or five key countries (China, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Turkey) are in agreement with Pakistan on the future of militancy, no fringe elements will be able to resist that tide for long.
What lies ahead is not easy. This is not a reward, it’s a responsibility. The international community has placed the ball in Pakistan’s court. As I said in the podcast, two balls have been handed to us, and it is up to Pakistan to decide where to hit them.
Pakistan’s leadership, bureaucracy, and especially its foreign policy thinkers must realise: this is our test. If we continue to rise to the occasion, ideologically, diplomatically, and strategically, then this won’t just be a moment of success. It will be the foundation of a new chapter, not just for Pakistan, but for the entire region.
