Pakistan has the world’s attention. Now it must focus inwards

In a world edging dangerously close to a wider war, where weeks of escalation between the United States, Israel and Iran have threatened to spiral into a catastrophic regional conflict, Pakistan has emerged as an unlikely but decisive diplomatic actor.Through sustained backchannel engagement and careful balancing of competing alliances, Islamabad helped bring two deeply distrustful adversaries to a temporary ceasefire, hopefully averting what would be one of the most consequential geopolitical crises in recent years.This can be seen as a huge diplomatic success for Pakistan. It has boosted the country’s profile on the global stage and earned it significant diplomatic clout. It is a win that should be celebrated.Just a few years ago, Pakistan was isolated internationally, with relations souring even with the US and China. Today, the tables have turned. Pakistan now stands in the global spotlight for all the right reasons. Fierce diplomatic efforts have paid off, and the country has earned genuine praise.At home, this moment has also been met with a sense of pride. For many Pakistanis, it represents a rare instance of the country being recognised for a positive global role in global affairs. In that sense, it marks an important moment in Pakistan’s recent diplomatic trajectory.While Islamabad led the mediation efforts, it is also important to acknowledge the constructive role played by other actors, particularly China. Beijing has worked closely with Islamabad throughout; in late March, they offered a joint five-point initiative that called for an immediate ceasefire, protection of civilians and infrastructure, and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. US President Donald Trump himself credited China with helping to bring Iran to the negotiating table at a critical moment.