Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has acknowledged that Pakistan’s military helps shape foreign policy and shares power with the civilian government through a consensus-based hybrid model, not equal power-sharing.
In keeping with his long-standing 'absolutely not' attitude against allowing US military activities on Pakistani territory, Khan presented Pakistan's stance as principled neutrality, a reluctance to take sides in a conflict between world powers. Donald Lu met with Pakistan's ambassador in Washington two weeks later, on March 7, 2022, and expressed his thoughts in unusually forthright words for diplomatic standards.
Following a landmark visit to India, the UAE has cancelled a major deal to operate Islamabad International Airport. While Abu Dhabi deepens defence ties with New Delhi and releases 900 Indian prisoners, its withdrawal from Pakistan signals a major regional strategic shift.
The piece was originally published by Pakistani leading newspaper, The Express Tribune on 1st January, but disappeared from the newspaper’s website within hours.