India has gifted us a narrative. It would be a shame to waste it. The Bilawal Bhutto Zardari-led delegation has reached the United States to relay our story. The team aims to win friends and influence people. Good. They have facts on their side. They also carry with them the freshly minted feel-good factor.

Audiences love a story of a powerful aggressor given a bloody nose by a smaller but defiant competitor. But the challenge of telling a story that impacts policy and perception in important capitals requires more than one visit by one delegation to talk about one event.

Truth be told, Pakistan has been terrible at telling its story. Years and years have rolled by, and we have consistently allowed others to define who we are and what we do. Or, do not do. India, on the other hand, has sold itself — warts and all — like a branded product. It has also misbranded us in the process.

This imbalance in storytelling and narrative building will not be rectified overnight. We may be riding a wave for now, but this wave will subside over time. Best to leverage it to the maximum knowing well that the dividends will not be too substantial.

For real dividends, Pakistan needs to make some hefty policy decisions. The list is a........

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