ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): Sardar Masood Khan, former President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Pakistan’s former Ambassador to the United States, China, and the United Nations, has declared 2025 a “year of celebration” for Pakistan, citing major diplomatic, military, and communication successes that elevated Pakistan’s global standing.
He underscored that Pakistan’s achievements are now being acknowledged internationally—from Washington and Beijing to Ankara, Tehran, and Riyadh—reflecting a rare global consensus that Pakistan has emerged as a confident and effective diplomatic actor.
Ambassador Masood Khan highlighted that Pakistan scored significant victories on three interconnected fronts—military, diplomacy, and strategic communications—and, crucially, these pillars worked in complete harmony.
Unlike in the past, where narratives had to be explained by Pakistan alone, this year saw global media and diplomatic circles independently recognizing Pakistan’s achievements, signalling credibility and broad international validation.
A central factor, he noted, has been Pakistan’s renewed and strengthened relationship with the United States, which improved markedly after key regional developments.
Simultaneously, relations with China reached “new heights,” dispelling assumptions that closer engagement with Washington would upset Beijing.
Instead, CPEC Phase 2.0 was launched, reaffirming strategic trust between Islamabad and Beijing and expanding cooperation in infrastructure, energy, and emerging technologies.
Ambassador Khan emphasised Pakistan’s deepening strategic engagement with Gulf states, particularly Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. He termed the strategic defence agreement with Saudi Arabia “momentous” and highlighted growing economic and security cooperation within the GCC framework.
UAE President’s visit to Pakistan
The UAE President’s visit to Pakistan, he added, reflected Pakistan’s growing importance as a preferred destination for investment and strategic dialogue and reinforced long-standing bonds in defence, labour, and economic cooperation.
Reflecting on Pakistan’s role as a credible mediator in regional crises, he pointed out that during heightened tensions between Iran and the United States and during conflicts in the Middle East, Washington requested Pakistan’s facilitation. Pakistan also worked closely with key Gulf and Islamic countries to push for ceasefire efforts in Gaza—demonstrating the country’s relevance as a stabilising diplomatic force. Pakistan’s diplomatic outreach, he said, is now “broad-based, proactive, and respected.”
Comparing regional trajectories, Ambassador Khan remarked that India’s regional isolation has deepened, noting that despite aggressive rhetoric, New Delhi has lost strategic credibility and domestic political cohesion after recent military and diplomatic setbacks.
In contrast, Pakistan today receives invitations from major capitals, hosts world leaders, and is increasingly seen as an indispensable partner in regional peace and connectivity.
On relations with China and the United States, he rejected the idea of forced “balancing,” saying Pakistan’s ties with each power stand on their own merits.
China remains Pakistan’s principal defence and strategic partner and the backbone of its defence supply chain, while ties with Washington have evolved into “stand-alone and broad-based relations,” not defined through the lens of India or China.
Commenting on Afghanistan, Ambassador Khan termed deteriorating relations a serious challenge for 2026, regretting that misinformation and external interference have strained ties and harmed Afghan people through reduced trade and connectivity. He expressed hope that pragmatic diplomacy will restore stability.
Looking ahead, Ambassador Masood Khan stated that 2026 must be a year of economic fruition. He, however, cautioned that political stability, policy continuity, and economic discipline are essential to fully capitalise on these opportunities.
