An open letter to the authorities and people of Pakistan

In the name of Allah, may His peace and blessings be upon His final Messenger, Muhammad, his family, and his companions.

In light of the recent war between Pakistan and India, there are some key points I would like to offer to the people and leaders of Pakistan. [1]

I have visited Pakistan a few times, and I stated many years ago that the country is qualified to be a superpower.

The recent conflict and the country’s success in teaching a hard lesson to a strong adversary reaffirm this, but I strongly believe there are a few pillars which will help achieve this ambition.

Upholding unity

Firstly, unity must not be a temporary reaction limited to times of crisis, but a consistent value embedded in the nation’s social, political, educational, and religious fabric.

Allah (jalla wa ‘ala) has made unity a divine source of power.

He says in the Qur’an,

And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided.” [2]

The Prophet ﷺ also emphasised this when he said,

The Hand of Allah is with the united people.” [3]

It is unfortunate that even during this war, certain voices within India — including opposition groups and some Muslim scholars — chose to support a nationalistic Indian agenda over truth and justice. This needs to stop.

Tip of the iceberg

This war is a manifestation of a much deeper, existential conflict than one between two neighbouring states.

India today stands as a visible front for a broader Western-Zionist agenda. This is evident from its close alliance with the Zionist state and its growing strategic ties with the United States.

These partnerships are deliberate, ideological, and geopolitical in nature. In fact, India’s increasingly aggressive anti-Islamic policies — targeting its own Muslim citizens — reinforce this alignment.

Examples include the 1995 Waqf Act, the demolition of many mosques including Babri in 1992, and the discriminatory identity-based Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) passed in 2019.

Strategic awareness of geopolitics

This conflict with India must be understood within the wider geopolitical, global, and regional context.

At the global level, there is a well-known and intensifying strategic rivalry between the United States and China.

Since the second Trump administration began, American foreign policy has openly identified China as its principal competitor and challenge on multiple fronts — economic, technological, and military.

As a result, both powers are increasingly engaged in proxy confrontations rather than direct warfare.

The United States continues to strengthen its ties with India — militarily, diplomatically, and economically. At the same time, China is seen as a key partner and supporter of Pakistan.

And this has several important implications:

• The United States may seek to test China’s resolve and the capabilities of its allies, including Pakistan.
• There may be a long-term aim to entangle Pakistan in a prolonged conflict that weakens its economy and political stability.
• Regional tensions could be manipulated to serve the interests of external powers, at the expense of regional peace and Muslim unity.

Covering all angles during preparations

Pakistan’s leadership must manage both the current situation and also prepare the country for the long-term implications of being caught in a broader global rivalry.

Building strength in faith, education, social justice, administrative reform, and unity are all foundational elements for long-term resilience.

This level of strategic awareness is part of the Prophetic method of leadership: anticipating possible threats, preparing for various outcomes, and ensuring that the nation is never caught unprepared.

Therefore, Pakistan’s response must go beyond military measures (which are central, though not my field to elaborate on) and into a comprehensive civilisational response.

A strong Pakistan is rooted in faith

As we know, power is not measured solely by military capabilities or economic strength.

On the contrary, true strength lies in a comprehensive foundation, with faith being the core ideological and spiritual bedrock of any nation to tackle its challenges.

These challenges are part of a complex confrontation between opposing worldviews — one that seeks to marginalise Islam and Muslims, and another that holds firmly to Islamic identity, sovereignty, and justice.

Every global power today is unified by a central ideology. For Pakistan, this unifying force is Islam. The country was established on the basis of Islamic identity, and it is only through Islam that it can remain united, dignified, and empowered.

Therefore, the first pillar of national strength must be a deep commitment to Islam. This includes reviving Islamic faith within society, integrating it into public life, and investing in da’wah.

Allah (jalla wa a‘la) reminds us:

“If you support Allah, He will support you and make your foothold firm.” [4]

And He also tells us,

“If you are patient and fear Allah, their plot will not harm you in the least.” [5]

Education is the backbone of a nation

The second fundamental pillar for building a strong Pakistan is education.

Pakistan is blessed with millions of educated individuals, and its military — particularly the Air Force — has demonstrated exceptional discipline, sophistication, and technical expertise in recent days.

However, for national strength to be sustainable, it must invest heavily in its educational infrastructure — particularly in the quality and values of what is taught.

A curriculum rooted in Islamic values, critical thinking, scientific excellence, and moral responsibility will produce visionary leaders and active citizens who can build and protect the future of the nation.

Allah says,

“Read in the name of your Lord who created.” [6]

And He commanded His Messenger ﷺ:

“And say, ‘My Lord, increase me in knowledge.’ [7]

The Prophet ﷺ emphasised the value of knowledge continuously. He encouraged both religious learning and practical skills.

After the Battle of Badr, he accepted the ransom of certain prisoners in the form of teaching literacy to ten Muslim children. He instructed Zayd ibn Thābit to learn Hebrew for the sake of diplomatic correspondence.

This Prophetic model of practical, intellectual, and spiritual growth must be revived today.

Loyalty and stability through social justice

The third essential pillar for a strong and adaptable Pakistan is social justice.

This principle is connected to nearly every major area of national life — governance, economy, education, and public welfare.

A nation that fails to ensure justice will inevitably suffer from internal disloyalty, division, and external vulnerability.

Upon arriving in Madina, the Prophet ﷺ outlined a model for a cohesive and just society:

O people, spread peace (Salām), feed one another, maintain family ties, and pray at night while others sleep — you will enter Paradise in peace.” [8]

No one is to be neglected — neither materially nor emotionally.

Moreover, Allah (subḥānahu wa ta’āla) repeatedly commands justice:

Indeed, Allah commands justice, good conduct, and giving to relatives, and forbids immorality, bad conduct, and oppression.” [9]

And He says,

And establish weight in justice and do not make deficient the balance.” [10]

Allah also reminds us,

Be just; that is nearer to righteousness.” [11]

Unsurprisingly, one of the most important institutions for justice and righteousness is the judiciary.

Without an independent and fair judicial system, justice becomes a tool of the powerful, and the rights of the weak are trampled.

For Pakistan to prosper and endure, there needs to be fair access to education and healthcare, promotion of equal economic opportunity, and the empowerment of impartial and accessible courts.

Corruption must be combatted

The fourth area that demands urgent reform for Pakistan’s success and flourishing is its administrative system.

Pakistan continues to face severe economic challenges — many of which stem from administrative inefficiency and widespread corruption.

This is something that stifles development, deters investment, erodes public trust, and ultimately destroys nations from within, no matter how rich in resources or strategically located they may be.

Therefore, civil services, local governance, public health, education, taxation, and law enforcement ought to be streamlined, digitised where possible, and held accountable through transparent mechanisms.

Effective reform must start at the top, with leaders demonstrating personal integrity and setting a clear example of public service.

The Prophet ﷺ said,

The one who gives a bribe and the one who takes it are both cursed.” [12]

Building alliances and regional communities

Another area I am confident many visionary Pakistanis are already reflecting on, is the importance of building strategic alliances, both regionally and globally.

In today’s interconnected world, no country can thrive in isolation. Strong nations are those that establish meaningful, long-term relationships with allies who share their values, interests, and vision.

Afghanistan is a good contender for such an alliance. Given the historical, religious, cultural, and geographical proximity between the two countries, it is only logical and strategic that it should be among Pakistan’s closest allies.

Pakistan has been closely involved in Afghanistan’s modern history, particularly during the resistance against the Soviet Union and later against the American occupation. Many communities across Pakistan — especially among the Pashtun population — share ethnic, tribal, and cultural bonds with the Afghan people.

More importantly, Pakistan and Afghanistan are united by faith, as well as a common adherence to the Hanafi school of thought. This provides a strong foundation for intellectual, religious, and cultural co-operation.

Afghanistan also controls critical mountain passes into Central Asia, thereby offering access routes into both Pakistan and India. The significance of this cannot be overstated.

Beyond Afghanistan, Pakistan should actively pursue and strengthen its ties with other Muslim-majority countries.

Türkiye: the ongoing co-operation between Pakistan and Türkiye is a highly strategic relationship. This partnership should be expanded beyond politics and defence and also cover economic, cultural, and educational connections.

Other key partners include Indonesia, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar.

It must also be said: it is neither wise nor strategic for Pakistan to rely solely on China, especially in areas such as defence and military capabilities.

While China is a powerful ally, it is a global superpower with its own agenda. No single foreign power should have the ability to paralyse or control Pakistan’s military systems or infrastructure. Strategic diversification and balanced diplomacy are vital.

Pakistan must prepare to defend itself militarily and ideologically, and integrate itself within a broader, principled, self-reliant Muslim bloc. Such a bloc can become a powerful source of mutual support, strength, and protection.

We ask Allah to protect Pakistan, to bless it with stability and justice, and to help it rise, until we witness it as a superpower among nations.

Source: Islam21c

Notes

[1] https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/after-ceasefire-what-lies-ahead-india-and-pakistan

[2] al-Qur’ān, 3:103

[3] al-Nasā’i; https://sunnah.com/nasai:4020

[4] al-Qur’ān, 47:7

[5] al-Qur’ān, 3:120

[6] al-Qur’ān, 96:1

[7] al-Qur’ān, 20:114

]8[ Ahmad, Tirmidhi

]9[ al-Qur’ān, 16:90

[10] al-Qur’ān, 55:9

[11] al-Qur’ān, 5:8

[12] Abu Dawud & Ahmad; https://sunnah.com/abudawud:3580