Pakistan's Role in Global Diplomacy
After World War II, Japan faced extreme poverty. By the 1960s, their children suffered from malnutrition, resulting in frail and underdeveloped individuals with weak bones and stunted growth.
The Japanese could only afford one meal a day, usually consumed at 3 PM, and this pattern was repeated daily to survive. During this period, in 1957, Pakistan sent a ship loaded with rice as aid to Japan, labeled as a “Gift from Pakistan.”The gesture left a lasting impression on the Japanese people, who remain grateful for this act of generosity to this day.
Historically, Pakistan and Japan share a fascinating relationship. When Lord Mountbatten, the last Viceroy of India, proposed the partition date as August 15, 1947, he aimed to align it with Japan’s surrender date in 1945. The Allies celebrated August 15 as Victory Day, and Mountbatten intended for India and Pakistan to commemorate their independence on the same day.
However, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah firmly rejected the idea, stating, “We will not celebrate our freedom on another nation’s day of defeat.” This principled stance is another reason the Japanese hold Pakistan in high regard.
Pakistan’s kindness didn’t stop there. After World War II, Japan was burdened with war reparations. While Pakistan was entitled to a portion of this compensation, Quaid-e-Azam waived it entirely, despite the country’s financial struggles at the time. This act of benevolence further strengthened the bond between the two nations.
A Generous Nation’s Legacy
Pakistan’s generosity extended beyond Japan. During the 1950s, Pakistan loaned 50 million rupees to Germany, provided refuge to Polish war victims, and facilitated China’s re-establishment on the global stage. Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) was the first airline to land in China, and the Chinese leadership personally welcomed the flight. Pakistan even gifted a plane to Chairman Mao Zedong, which is still displayed in a Chinese museum as a token of gratitude.
Pakistan also played a pivotal role in Turkey’s development. Many Turkish elites, military officers, and politicians were educated in Pakistan. Pakistan facilitated the freedom movements in Morocco, Tunisia, and Algeria, offering political leaders Pakistani passports to travel and address the United Nations.
Moreover, Pakistan orchestrated the first contact between China and the United States, arranging Henry Kissinger’s secret visit to China, which laid the groundwork for President Richard Nixon’s historic visit. In the Middle East, Pakistan supported Palestine, contributed to the defense strategies of Syria, Jordan, and Egypt, and even sent Zakat to Saudi Arabia until the 1970s.
The Fall from Grace
Once a nation admired for its generosity and strategic vision, Pakistan now struggles to secure financial aid. The country, which once loaned money to others, now finds itself in queues for international loans. A Pakistani passport, once a symbol of respect, now requires even Afghan visas to travel.
What led to this downfall? A series of poor decisions, political mismanagement, and a lack of accountability eroded Pakistan’s global stature. However, the situation is not beyond repair.
The Path to Redemption
To regain its lost glory, Pakistan must take decisive steps:
End Political Engineering Ensure free and fair elections every five years, without interference from any institution.
Introduce Term Limits Restrict political leaders to two or three terms in office to prevent monopoly.
Promote Business-Friendly Policies Allow citizens and foreigners to establish businesses with tax incentives for the first five years.
Control Population Growth Launch campaigns to manage population growth and ensure that every citizen is skilled and employed by the age of 30.
Enforce Accountability Make work mandatory and penalize those who refuse to contribute to society.
Draft a 20-Year National Plan Bring all stakeholders together to create a long-term strategy for national progress, ensuring no deviations.
