Pakistan’s unexpected strength enhances its global value: Khurram Dastgir

Gujranwala: Former federal minister Khurram Dastgir Khan has said that Pakistan’s recent performance “on both the military and diplomatic fronts” has revealed an unexpected strength that has significantly increased the country’s importance in international diplomacy. He expressed these views while speaking to students at the launch of Afkar-e-Taza ThinkFest Pakistan’s “ThinkFest on Campus” at the University of Central Punjab (UCP), Gujranwala Campus.

The event marked the beginning of a nationwide series aimed at bringing ThinkFest Pakistan’s signature intellectual engagement to secondary and tertiary cities across the country. The initiative seeks to connect global scholars, academics, and public- and private-sector experts with wider audiences, expanding access to critical ideas, debate, and discourse.

The Gujranwala edition opened with a reflective dialogue on Punjab’s shared past. Tarunjit Singh Butalia recounted his personal journey of rediscovering his Punjabi identity in Pakistan, while Stockholm University’s Ishtiaq Ahmad stressed the need for Pakistan to learn from historical missteps and develop a more accurate understanding of its past.

A focused climate session, featuring Rafay Alam and Sara Hayat, underscored the worsening global climate crisis. The speakers highlighted the urgent need for climate action and emphasized the leadership role Pakistan’s youth must play in driving sustainable solutions.

In one of the day’s most widely attended sessions, Khurram Dastgir engaged students on Pakistan’s position in a rapidly shifting global order, particularly in light of rising regional tensions and the implications of the recent “four-day war” with India.

“Pakistan has long been described as standing at a crossroads, and the recent war with India has demonstrated its capabilities on both the military and diplomatic fronts,” he said. “The country’s unexpected strength has become evident, enhancing its value in international diplomacy. It is important that we continue to build on this opportunity.”

ThinkFest Pakistan Founder Dr. Yaqoob Khan Bangash said the organisation is committed to taking meaningful, thought-provoking conversations to cities that rarely have access to such intellectual forums.

“ThinkFest Pakistan strongly believes in democratising knowledge, sparking curiosity, and ensuring that young people across Pakistan can engage with global thinkers right in their own communities,” he said.

ThinkFest Pakistan reiterated its mission to expand intellectual engagement nationwide, promoting dialogue, critical thinking, and deeper cultural understanding.