Pakistan at Crossroads: Diplomacy, Division, and the Path Forward

The last two months have been eventful for Pakistan’s diplomatic outreach, showcasing efforts to strengthen its regional and international ties. Key milestones include hosting the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit, celebrating Guru Nanak’s birthday with pilgrims from around the world (notably India), organizing a Kabaddi tournament at Kartarpur Corridor, and advancing bilateral relations with Saudi Arabia and Belarus. These initiatives highlight Pakistan’s commitment to projecting a positive image on the global stage. However, domestic challenges have significantly dampened these strides.

The polarized political climate, marred by animosity and infighting, continues to tarnish Pakistan’s soft image. The tragic incident in Parachinar, where nearly 80 lives were lost, was misrepresented by some as sectarian violence despite its roots in a land dispute. This mischaracterization underscores the pervasive political opportunism that often overshadows national solidarity. Before the nation could recover from this loss, political tensions flared again as PTI announced its routine protests, which led to the government’s usual response of a crackdown. When viewed from a discerning perspective, the national scenario casts serious doubts on the state of democracy in Pakistan. As the country contends with economic decline and growing social and political divisions, these developments call for immediate attention.

Also See: Lockdowns and Protests: A Governance Crisis in Pakistan

Pakistan’s Diplomatic Efforts: Key Achievements in Recent Months

Pakistan’s diplomatic outreach in recent months has been marked by notable successes aimed at strengthening regional and international relations. Hosting major events and engaging in strategic partnerships, the country has worked towards projecting a positive image on the global stage.

However, the domestic environment remains a critical challenge. While these achievements reflect Pakistan’s diplomatic resilience, the internal landscape, dominated by political fragmentation and social unrest, complicates efforts to fully capitalize on these successes.

Saudi Arabia’s Strategic Engagement with Pakistan

On October 10, 2024, Saudi Arabia’s Minister for Investment, Khalid bin Abdulaziz al-Falih met with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during his visit to Pakistan. The two sides not only explored sectors like aviation, mining, and agriculture but also made agreements worth over $2 billion, with additional commitments of up to $5 billion. These milestones highlight Saudi Arabia’s confidence in Pakistan’s economic reforms and its vision to align with Saudi Vision 2030.

Hosting the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit

On October 15-16, 2024, Pakistan hosted leaders from China, Russia, India, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Iran and Belarus for the 23rd Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Islamabad. The event highlighted Pakistan’s active role in global diplomatic avenues and underscored its strategic significance in regional and global geopolitics.

Establishing Direct Maritime Connectivity with Bangladesh

On November 13, a direct cargo ship from Karachi, Pakistan, successfully docked at the port of Chittagong, Bangladesh, establishing the first-ever direct maritime connection between the two nations. This development has been hailed as “a major step forward,” with expectations of simplified supply chains, reduced transit times, and lower costs, fostering stronger economic ties and boosting trade between the two countries.

The Baba Guru Nanak International Kabaddi Festival: Fostering Cross-Border Connections

A week later, On November 19, the Baba Guru Nanak International Kabaddi Festival 2024 was held in Kartarpur city to commemorate Baba Guru Nanak’s 555th birth anniversary. Organized by the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee in collaboration with the Project Management Unit (PMU) Kartarpur and the Pakistan Kabaddi Federation, the festival attracted over 5,000 foreign Sikh pilgrims, including 2,500 from India. This celebration not only fostered cross-border connections but also highlighted Pakistan’s role as a beacon of peace and inclusivity in the world.

Strengthening Relations with Belarus: A New Era of Collaboration

Another week passed, and Belarus’s President Aleksandr Lukashenko came to his official visit to Pakistan on 25 November. He met with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif with his delegation. Both sides celebrated three decades of Pakistan-Belarus diplomatic ties, culminating in 15 agreements spanning agriculture, industry, education, and health. Both sides also emphasized peaceful resolutions to crises in Ukraine, Lebanon, Gaza, Kashmir and other conflict-ridden regions. This visit has set a precedent for future collaborations with other nations seeking mutually beneficial relations. The signing of a “Roadmap for Comprehensive Cooperation” for 2025-2027 illustrates a shared commitment to long-term collaboration.

Domestic Challenges Undermining Pakistan’s Diplomatic Efforts

Despite these diplomatic milestones, domestic challenges continue to undermine Pakistan’s global image. Political strife, security concerns, and social polarization have emerged as significant hurdles, overshadowing the diplomatic successes achieved in recent months.

These internal dynamics raise important questions about the long-term sustainability of Pakistan’s foreign policy initiatives, especially as the country grapples with mounting economic pressures and fractured political unity.

Rising Terrorism and Its Impact

Amid these diplomatic and cultural achievements, Pakistan has also faced significant setbacks and controversies. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the TTP and its affiliates have continued to escalate their terrorist activities. On 19 November, a suicide bombing in Bannu claimed the lives of 12 security personnel. A day earlier, on 18 November, terrorists ambushed a military convoy in the Khyber district, near the Afghan border, killing at least eight soldiers and injuring three others, one of whom remains in critical condition. The ambush targeted troops returning from a counterinsurgency operation, with subsequent clashes reportedly leaving several attackers dead. On the same day, armed men stormed a security outpost in Bannu district, taking seven police officers hostage. Over 72 lives were lost in this wave of terrorist attacks.

Political Exploitation of Tragedies: The Parachinar Incident

The shock of these incidents had not subsided when another tragedy struck on 21 November 2024, in Kurram Agency, where violence escalated in Parachinar, claiming more than 80 lives. While some political opportunists sought to frame the incident as sectarian violence, it was, in fact, the result of a land dispute—highlighting the distortion of facts for political gain.

Controversial Remarks Threatening Diplomatic Relations with Saudi Arabia

Meanwhile, former First Lady Bushra Bibi’s controversial remarks have cast a shadow over Pakistan’s relationship with Saudi Arabia. In a video address to PTI supporters, she hinted at Saudi Arabia’s alleged involvement in Imran Khan’s ouster, suggesting that those opposing Sharia in their own country aimed to remove a “champion of Sharia” like Khan. While she did not explicitly name Saudi Arabia, her comments were widely interpreted as implicating the kingdom. Despite PTI’s efforts to clarify that her remarks were directed at former Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Qamar Bajwa rather than Saudi Arabia, the damage to both PTI’s reputation and Pakistan’s warm ties with Saudi Arabia was already done.

Critics argue that such unsubstantiated claims risk damaging Pakistan’s vital relationship with Saudi Arabia, a key economic and diplomatic ally. At a time of economic fragility, dragging allies into baseless controversies not only harms PTI’s credibility but also undermines the nation’s foreign policy interests.

Protests and Unrest: Imran Khan’s Call for Action and Its Consequences

Furthermore, on November 14, Imran Khan issued a “final call” urging supporters to take to the streets on November 24 to protest what he called the “stolen mandate” of this year’s elections, the “unjust arrests” of PTI leaders and activists, and the passing of a controversial constitutional amendment that gave the government oversight over the appointment of judges in superior courts. In response, the government imposed a lockdown on November 23, which continued through the protests. While PTI officially called off the protests on 27 November and the lockdown is now lifted, the past six days have exacted a heavy toll on the nation in terms of loss of lives, economic damage, and reputational harm.

The estimates of daily economic losses amounted to 190 billion rupees underscores the severe toll the ongoing unrest is taking on Pakistan’s already fragile economy. The disruption has had a widespread impact, particularly affecting trade and services, with small businesses bearing the brunt of the losses.

Marcher Casualties: An Unresolved Mystery

At least six people have lost their lives in protest-related violence. Among the deceased are four security personnel and one civilian, who was killed when a vehicle rammed into them on a street. Following the PTI’s retreat from Islamabad’s Blue Area on Tuesday night, party leaders claimed that several supporters were killed due to alleged firing by security personnel. PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja stated in a video message that approximately 20 supporters lost their lives, although party sources put the figure at six.

Unverified reports circulated on social media—amplified by figures like Sardar Latif Khosa—suggested a much higher death toll. However, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi firmly denied any fatalities, citing that security personnel were not equipped with live firearms. This has further created confusion and chaos in the already chaotic political environment of Pakistan. The government has maintained that no casualties occurred during the crackdown, emphasizing the absence of live ammunition among law enforcement personnel.

International media has also echoed the figures cited by PTI, but so far, no verifiable details have surfaced. Notably, no bodies, funerals, or credible evidence have been reported that align with these claims.

This raises serious questions about potential misreporting and exaggeration. The lack of clarity from official channels has led to widespread speculation, with some accusing authorities of deliberately withholding information. This unresolved issue has further inflamed tensions between the government and the opposition, with both sides doubling down on their narratives and tarnishing Pakistan’s image.

The lack of clarity from official channels has led to widespread speculation, with some accusing authorities of deliberately withholding information. This unresolved issue has further inflamed tensions between the government and the opposition, with both sides doubling down on their narratives and tarnishing Pakistan’s image.

Way Forward

Pakistan stands at a crossroads where unity and diplomacy are not just choices—they are imperatives. The path forward demands more than governance; it requires grit, vision, and dialogue. National unity is not built by silencing dissent but by embracing it with integrity. True strength lies not in suppressing opposition but in transforming it into constructive engagement.

For leaders, restraint must replace rhetoric. For citizens, patience must triumph over polarization. And for all, the rule of law must be the guiding compass. This is Pakistan’s moment to rise—not by breaking its own, but by bending together toward a common purpose. The world is watching, and history will remember those who choose progress over chaos. The question is simple: Will Pakistan build bridges or burn them? In the end, the legacy of this moment will rest not just on the decisions made, but on the unity forged in the process. Will we rise above the fray or let it define us? The choice is of Pakistan’s and its people, and time is fleeting.

SAT Editorial Desk

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South Asia Times

Pakistan at Crossroads: Diplomacy, Division, and the Path Forward