A war is being fought in the Middle East and a war is being fought by Pakistan.

There is a major difference between the two. The war imposed on Iran is aimed at destruction, whereas Pakistan’s war is for peace. From where did Pakistan derive the energy to fight such a significant war? This is the million-dollar question. After the martyrdom of King Faisal, when Prince Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al Saud assumed the exalted office of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, comparisons between him and his predecessor began immediately. A perceptive observer remarked that succeeding a towering personality like King Faisal presents a double challenge: confronting the demands of one’s own era while enduring comparison with one’s predecessor. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has faced a somewhat similar situation, yet with the passage of time, he appears to be rising above such comparisons.

A politician’s capability can be judged by several measures, one of which is the ability to build a strong team and carry it along. In dealing with national affairs and challenges, what has been Shehbaz Sharif’s approach? This is an important question. I have had the privilege of meeting the Prime Minister several times and listening to his views on key national matters. I can........

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