Amidst the happy tidings, and seeing Pakistan stemming its downslide and climbing upwards, there are quite a few who view things differently. They have mastered the art of converting good deeds into bad deeds through social media and their write-ups.
- The author Brigadier (Retd.) Asif Haroon Raja, is a retired Brigadier General, war veteran, defence and security analyst, columnist, author of five books, ex-chairman TFP, Patron-in-chief CDS Think Tank, and takes part in TV talk shows.
- *The views and opinions expressed herein, and any references, are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of the Centre for Development and Stability (CDS).
Every second person has become an analyst and after every big event, they give their expert views, which are clouded and shrouded in negativity. They are a jack of all trades but experts in none.
Neem Hakeem, Khatra e Jaan.
Their negative views are meant to sensationalise and dramatise the event to earn kudos from the like-minded, who cheer them up lustily, grading them as excellent analysts.
One such example is the recently concluded Defence Pact between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. The other is growing relations with the USA, about which they are ringing alarm bells, advising caution and prudence, and recalling the past history of betrayal of the USA.
The focus is now on the highly successful visit of the PM and FM to New York and Washington. All-out efforts are being made to undermine it through fake news and concocted stories/videos.
The easiest thing in the world is to criticise or to advise. Criticism and advice becomes useful if rendered unbiasedly and with an open mind and with a sincerity of purpose. Criticism for the sake of criticism is unhealthy and unproductive.
The criticism and advice becomes meaningless if the mind is negative and the intention is insincere.
If we look at the current situation with sanity and rationality, Pakistan has come out of the woods, and is now seen as an honourable and dignified nation. This status has been awarded by the world community and not by the incumbent government.
The ones who pulled out Pakistan from the quagmire are FM Asim Munir and PM Shahbaz Sharif. They are looked at with admiration by the world leaders. Even the enemies are awestruck, and cannot help admire the tenacity and resilience of the Pakistani nation to resist and surmount the challenges.
We have seen the red carpet welcome given to the two Pakistani leaders of a third world country in several countries including the USA, China, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Azerbaijan, Iran. Bangladesh has veered closer to Pakistan, and soon the brothers in faith would become strategic partners.
Till 6 May 2025, Pakistan was seen as an isolated and irrelevant country standing at the edge of default. The whole scenario changed after the four-day war with India. Ever since, Pakistan’s fortunes are climbing and that of India is declining. India’s ugly face has been exposed and it’s fake narratives and laments are being ignored by the world.
Attack of Israel on Doha woke up the Muslim Ummah, especially the Arabs, from their slumber and complacency. The Arab States are looking towards Pakistan to lead and provide the security umbrella in the turbulent Middle East. The Defence Pact is a win-win situation for both, with far reaching benefits for the two brotherly nations.
Shahbaz had earned the reputation of a go-getter, a speedster and the best administrator in Pakistan. Now he has become a statesman, and his international profile has notched up. His sustained hard work, army support, and providential help have earned him fame, and has brought Pakistan to the juncture of upward trajectory.
The critics driven by political agenda and hate filled politics will keep stewing in the juice of envy and jealousy, not understanding that honor and dishonour, dignity and indignity, fame and infamy cannot be bought or prevented. Allah is the Controller and not the mortal human being.
All humans are fallible and perishable and all have fault lines. Faults of some are deeper, abnormal and beyond repair, causing irreparable harm, while others faults are less harmful and are repairable.
Ultimately, the ones imbued with honesty, faith in Allah , dedication, hard work, sincerity and honesty of purpose would succeed.
No amount of allegations, accusations, mimicking, curses, threats would stop the forward march of the righteous leaders steering the wheel of good fortune towards progress and prosperity.
