The day Pakistan made the whole world proud

I still cannot quite believe what we all are witnessing. I, a simple Pakistani who has seen this country go through so many storms, so many dark and difficult days, am sitting here with tears of pride in my eyes. Because today, finally, the world is looking at Pakistan and saying, Shukriya Pakistan.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stood before parliament on Monday and told us something that we honestly never expected to hear in our lifetime. Pakistan will host the signing ceremony of the peace agreement between the United States and Iran. In Geneva. On June 19. My Pakistan. Our Pakistan. The country that so many had written off, doubted, and dismissed — that very Pakistan is now standing at the centre of world history.

Let me tell you what this means, in simple words, because this moment deserves to be understood by every single one of us.

For years, tensions between America and Iran cast a long and terrible shadow over the world. Prices went up. Trade was disrupted. Economies trembled. And Pakistan, already carrying so much on its shoulders, felt every blow. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif himself said it — the flames of this conflict shook the entire world, and Pakistan’s economy felt the heat too, and is still feeling it. But even while suffering, Pakistan did not sit still. Pakistan picked up the phone. Pakistan kept talking. Pakistan kept pushing for peace.

And at the heart of all this quiet, patient, tireless work was Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif told parliament that there were several moments during the negotiations when it seemed everything would collapse. When the talks looked like they were about to fall apart completely, it was Field Marshal Asim Munir who refused to give up. He dedicated his days and his nights to putting out the fires of this war. And because of that determination, the ceasefire was announced. Because of that courage, peace has a chance.

Our Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also played his part beautifully. He reminded the world that Pakistan stayed in close contact with all relevant parties throughout this entire process. He said Pakistan consistently supported restraint, patience, and constructive dialogue. He said this agreement will bring confidence and stability to global markets — and most importantly, it will help developing countries like ours that suffer the most when the region burns.

And then came the words that made my heart sing. Qatar’s Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman, took to social media and publicly thanked Pakistan. He said — and I am still smiling as I write this — that he extends his heartfelt gratitude to his brothers in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. The Prime Minister of Qatar. Thanking Pakistan. To the whole world.

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani all played important roles in bringing the two sides together. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was gracious enough to acknowledge each of them. That is the kind of confident and generous leadership that makes a nation respected.

But I keep coming back to one feeling. Pride. Pure, uncomplicated, overwhelming pride.

I have lived through times when being Pakistani felt heavy. When the news was always bad and the world’s opinion of us felt unfair. But today is different. Today, the most powerful country on earth and one of the most important nations in our region have chosen Pakistan as the place where they will shake hands and choose peace. They trust us. They respect us. They came to us.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said today is a day of honour not just for Pakistanis living here but for every Pakistani living anywhere in the world. I believe him completely.

We did this. Pakistan did this. And the whole world knows it.