Pakistan is reaching unprecedented diplomatic heights in its 78-year history. From Riyadh to Baku, from Beijing to Moscow, Pakistan’s handshake now extends to all continents and commands attention. From Jeddah to Doha, from Astana to Tashkent, Pakistan is anchoring a new arc of trust across the Muslim world. From London to Brussels, from Washington to Beijing, Pakistan is no longer on the sidelines; It’s back in the conversation.
From Isolation to Strategic Membership: A US Reset Opens Access to Multi-Trillion Dollar Programs – EXIM, IMF, World Bank, DFC, IFC. A US reset means cheaper capital, longer durations and renewed investor confidence. A U.S. reset drives technology transfers in energy, digital finance, and renewable energy.
A US reset means $2.5 billion worth of AIM-120 advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles (AMRAAM). A US reset is not just a change in foreign policy, but an economic lifeline wrapped in diplomacy.
There is $3.5 billion in limited recourse project financing for Reko Diq from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), Asian Development Bank (ADB), US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), Export-Import Bank (US EXIM), Export Development Canada (EDC), German bank KfW IPEX, Swedish EKN and Finnish Finnvera Oyj.
A historic Saudi defense pact marks Pakistan’s deepest bond in the Gulf in 78 years. The deal comes with a $3 billion deposit extension, investment memorandums worth $2 billion and a $1 billion oil facility. An $8 billion labor export deal and a Sino-Pakistan “Hangor-class” diesel-electric submarine export deal (the Sino-Pakistani deal is worth $5 billion).
The year (2025) saw $4.6 billion in JF-17 sales to Azerbaijan (June). In 2025, a pact with Sudan was concluded for $230 million (May). The year saw the confirmation of the ML-1 rail for $7 billion. It saw a $2 billion Karachi-Rohri upgrade. He saw transit and logistics trade links between Pakistan and Kazakhstan. This year, Pakistan and the UAE achieved the trade escalation target of $20 billion.
Yes, Pakistan is ready to play a pivotal role in shaping the emerging security architecture in the Middle East. Imagine, Pakistan is moving from being an “observer” to being an “architect”.
For an average Pakistani, the $3.5 billion Reko Diq funding and $7 billion ML-1 rail upgrade, along with the $2 billion Karachi-Rohri improvements, will create between 100,000 and 200,000 jobs in the mining, construction and logistics sectors. For an average Pakistani, Saudi Arabia’s $8 billion labor export deal and the UAE’s $20 billion trade target could employ more than 300,000 workers abroad. Yes, the JF-17 sale to Azerbaijan for $4.6 billion, the Sudan deal for $230 million and the AMRAAM deal for $2.5 billion are testament to a robust defense sector.
For the first time, Pakistan’s foreign policy, its defense exports and its economic reach are moving in sync. For the first time, Pakistan is building alliances and not dependencies.
Imagine, Pakistan now has the status of “protector of the Ummah”. Imagine, Riyadh now views Islamabad not just as a “security partner” but as a “co-architect of regional stability.” Imagine, Pakistan goes from the status of “recipient of aid” to that of “guarantor of security”. Imagine, from a “security recipient” to a “security partner”.
The dividends of Pakistani diplomacy will be visible where they matter most: in employment, energy stability and public morale.
The writer is a columnist based in Islamabad. He tweets/posts @saleemfarrukh and can be contacted at: [email protected]
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policies of PK Press Club.tv.
Originally published in The News
