Since Pakistan’s rare show of national unity in the face of Indian aggression, both the government and the military leadership have rightly celebrated a significant victory.
While the swift and measured response from the armed forces, combined with astute diplomatic efforts, showcased Pakistan’s ability to safeguard its sovereignty, little has been done to redirect collective will toward economic and political stability.
Amidst the waving of flags and chanting of unity nationwide, we must recognize that this moment calls not for complacency, but rather introspection and a renewed commitment to sustainable national resilience. The country has proven its mettle on the external front, but the enduring battle against economic fragility, political instability, and structural inefficiencies persists.
Prior to the military confrontation with India, Pakistan had inched its way back from the brink of default to economic stabilization. Inflation moderated to record lows, foreign exchange reserves marginally improved and key structural reforms in taxation and energy pricing started to take root. The welcome macroeconomic developments, however, have yet to reach the average citizen, underscoring a need to protect these fragile gains with vigilance and maturity. The last thing the country needs now is any derailing of this progress through political distractions or regional tensions.
Yet despite being a bedrock of any sustainable progress, political stability remains an elusive aim for Pakistan. More than three years since the ouster of Imran Khan through a vote of no-confidence, the country remains mired in perennial power struggles, threats of street agitation, and policy U-turns. If the conflict with India has taught us anything, it must be that national cohesion is a prerequisite for long-term development, not just a wartime necessity. A good first step for this is consensus on core economic priorities, institutional independence, and democratic continuity. For this, however, both sides must be willing to come to the negotiating table. At the same time, having once again demonstrated its vital role in national defense, the military must now support the civilian leadership’s agenda for reform and reconstruction. Civil-military harmony, guided by constitutional clarity and mutual respect, is essential for a confident and forward-looking Pakistan.
Our leaders must take care to ensure this moment does not pass as a fleeting patriotic high. Instead, it should mark the beginning of a new national resolve to consolidate peace, deepen reforms, and build an economy that not only resists external shocks, but also uplifts every Pakistani.
The true measure of our victory requires more than just territorial defense, it requires us to deliver prosperity, justice, and stability for generations to come. The world has taken note of Pakistan’s strength—time has come for us to prove our maturity.