By Asghar Ali Mubarak
The year 2025 has emerged as a watershed in Pakistan’s diplomatic history, a period in which Islamabad has, according to the American journal Foreign Policy, positioned itself as the “diplomatic winner of the region.” This remarkable transformation is credited to a combination of strategic foresight, deft military diplomacy, and the careful orchestration of political and economic engagement, all of which have altered Pakistan’s standing on the global stage. The analysis divides Pakistan’s recent diplomatic trajectory into two distinct phases: before May 2025, when the country faced a series of regional and international challenges, and after May, when a series of decisive actions redefined its influence, credibility, and international relationships.
The turning point, as analysts note, coincided with the May 2025 conflict with India, which, despite the tensions it generated, became an unexpected catalyst for Pakistan’s diplomatic resurgence. The war’s aftermath provided a platform for Islamabad to assert its principled stance in international forums, culminating in a report by United Nations experts in December 2025 declaring India an aggressor. The UN report highlighted India’s “unlawful use of force” following the Pahalgam incident in occupied Kashmir and underscored the risks to fundamental rights, including the right to life, personal security, adequate living standards, access to water and food, and a sustainable environment. This unequivocal recognition of Pakistan’s position marked a historic diplomatic triumph, lending Islamabad unprecedented international legitimacy and a platform to shape discourse around South Asian stability.
The shift in Pakistan’s diplomatic fortunes was mirrored by tangible achievements with key regional and global partners. Relations with Saudi Arabia, already significant, were elevated to a new strategic level. High-level political and military consultations deepened cooperation, culminating in the Pak-Saudi defense agreement in September 2025. These measures were reinforced by economic and investment commitments, including energy, infrastructure, and refinery projects, as well as initiatives to expand labor opportunities and safeguard workforce rights. The awarding of the ‘King Abdulaziz Medal of Excellent Class’ to Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir was both symbolic and practical, reflecting recognition of his role in strengthening bilateral ties. In effect, 2025 transformed Pak-Saudi relations into a comprehensive strategic partnership, grounded in mutual trust, shared security interests, and long-term economic cooperation.
Pakistan’s relations with the United States also witnessed a pronounced revival. Diplomacy here was characterized by pragmatism and tangible engagement. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s meetings with US officials, supported by Field Marshal Munir’s contacts with security and defense authorities, resulted in enhanced counter-terrorism cooperation, strengthened institutional linkages, and the facilitation of private sector investment in energy, information technology, and mineral sectors. The US-Pakistan relationship, particularly in the context of the International Monetary Fund program and ongoing trade partnerships, gained renewed momentum, creating a diplomatic environment that contrasted sharply with the years of stagnation preceding May 2025. The joint engagement over investment, development, and security coordination, along with direct support for counter-terrorism operations, positioned Pakistan as a reliable and indispensable partner in the region.
Similarly, Pakistan-China relations achieved new heights, consolidating a decades-long strategic alliance through practical developments under the CPEC 2.0 initiative. Throughout 2025, high-level meetings, state visits, and a series of Memorandums of Understanding across sectors from technology and agriculture to industrial cooperation and quantum computing established a multi-dimensional framework of collaboration. The launch of new development corridors, investments in modern infrastructure, and strategic partnerships in science and technology reinforced the “all-weather” nature of the Sino-Pak relationship, providing Islamabad with both economic leverage and regional influence. These agreements not only signaled continuity in bilateral cooperation but also underscored Pakistan’s capacity to operationalize strategic initiatives on a scale commensurate with regional ambitions.
Pakistan’s active diplomatic role extended beyond bilateral engagements into complex multilateral issues, most notably the Gaza conflict. From January to October 2025, Pakistan consistently advocated for the protection of Palestinian rights, called for the implementation of ceasefire agreements, and engaged in international efforts to support peace and humanitarian relief. These interventions, framed around principles of justice and human dignity, enhanced Pakistan’s image as a principled actor capable of combining advocacy with practical engagement. By championing humanitarian concerns alongside international law, Pakistan projected a narrative of moral authority that complemented its strategic objectives.
(The writer is a senior journalist covering various beats, can be reached at editorial@metro-morning.com)
