A nation is more than territory enclosed by borders on a map. It is history, memory, sacrifice, identity and a shared moral inheritance. For that reason, patriotism in its mature form is neither blind approval nor reflexive denial. It does not require silence about national shortcomings, nor does it justify dismissing constructive developments simply because they are associated with an unfavoured political actor. Serious nations do both: they criticize where criticism is warranted and recognize what advances the national interest. For Pakistan, that balance is especially important at this moment.

Pakistan’s national journey has never been easy. Since 1947, the country has faced political instability, constitutional crises, military rule, democratic transitions, economic strain, terrorism and national tragedies. Yet despite repeated shocks, Pakistan has endured, repeatedly regaining stability after crises and preserving continuity where others might have fractured. This resilience remains a defining strength of the state: the capacity to hold together under stress and recover from disruption. It also underpins Pakistan’s diplomatic relevance. By virtue of its geography, population, strategic location, military capacity and regional reach, Pakistan is not a peripheral state. Situated at the crossroads of South Asia, Central Asia, the Gulf and the Middle East, its choices are often regionally consequential and, in times of instability, carry wider international significance.

This became evident during the crisis following the military........

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