Few moments can redefine global power dynamics: Mushtaq Butt

ISLAMABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 7th May, 2026) The All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) Secretary Information Mushtaq Ahmed Butt believes history does not change over centuries but a few moments are enough to transform global perceptions, national confidence, and the balance of power.

Speaking about the nearly four hours of May 10, 2025 ‘Marka-e-Haq’, he said it appeared to be a brief span of time, but in reality, it became a decisive turning point in which long-standing narratives collapsed, assumptions lost their foundations, and reality asserted itself with undeniable force.

It was the moment when a nation saw itself not through the eyes of others, but through its own vision — in its true stature and with its genuine sense of dignity, he said.

He said when India launched missile strikes on parts of Pakistan and Azad Kashmir on the basis of what Pakistan described as fabricated allegations, traditional aggression, and claims of regional supremacy, its objective was not merely military pressure.

It sought to push Pakistan into a defensive position through fear, psychological dominance, and political coercion. India appeared to believe that this display of force would intimidate Pakistan, compel it into silence under international pressure, or limit it to a restrained response. However, one reality was overlooked: nations are strengthened not only by weapons, but also by faith, unity, resolve, and self-respect, he said.

Butt said Pakistan initially responded with restraint, responsibility, and diplomatic maturity, presenting its position before the international community. But when the aggression intensified, the response that followed dramatically altered the entire course of the confrontation within moments. When Pakistan’s fighter jets took to the skies, it was not merely an aerial operation; it symbolized the determination, dignity, and resilience of a living nation. That flight carried not only speed, but also the conviction that defeats fear, the courage that cuts through uncertainty, and the confidence that stands firm against every form of pressure, he said.

He was of the view that Pakistan’s coordinated and forceful counter-response not only disproved the enemy’s calculations but also underscored that this was not a Pakistan that could be pressured into submission. The response from the Pakistani Air Force shattered the arrogance of perceived invincibility. The world witnessed how, within less than four hours, the entire battlefield equation changed. The side that had repeatedly claimed superiority was eventually compelled to discuss a ceasefire, he said.

This was not merely a military success; it was a declaration that Pakistan seeks peace, but will never allow peace to be mistaken for weakness.

Pakistan demonstrated that restraint is its policy, but defense is its capability and when that capability is exercised, even the grandest claims and strategies can collapse within moments, he said.

Butt said during those hours, it was not only weapons that spoke; it was the voice of a nation’s history, identity, and future being written in its own words. For years, a narrative had surrounded Pakistan claiming that it was weak, unable to withstand pressure, incapable of enduring prolonged confrontation, and dependent on the approval of global powers to move forward. Yet those few hours dismantled that entire perception. This was not simply a military achievement, but a psychological transformation — one that freed the nation from feelings of inferiority and renewed awareness of its true strength, he said.

“Pakistan is not only capable of standing firm, but also of shaping its own destiny with confidence. Today, the world no longer views Pakistan in the same way. On the global stage, Pakistan is increasingly emerging not merely as a geographical state, but as an effective, resilient, and decisive power. In international diplomatic circles, Pakistan’s voice is no longer only heard — it is taken seriously. Defense analysts, international institutions, and major powers are being compelled to recognize that Pakistan possesses not only robust defensive capabilities, but also the capacity to influence the regional balance and future strategic dynamics. The world has witnessed that when Pakistan rises to defend its sovereignty, dignity, and independence, even the most carefully crafted calculations and interests can be disrupted, he said.

He said this position was not achieved by coincidence. Behind it stand the extraordinary sacrifices, professionalism, discipline, and unwavering spirit of Pakistan’s armed forces. The military has not only defended borders, but also safeguarded the nation’s confidence, dignity, and future. Whether on the battlefield, the diplomatic front, or in maintaining internal stability, Pakistan’s armed forces have repeatedly demonstrated that they are not merely a defense institution, but a powerful symbol of national security, sovereignty, and resilience, he said.

He said today, when those nearly four hours are remembered, they no longer feel like a single event; they stand as a living lesson, a lesson in self-belief, confidence, unity, and the importance of shaping one’s own narrative.

This moment will not remain confined to the pages of time. It will continue to live in the consciousness of generations, in the heartbeat of a people, and in the memory of a nation, as a lasting reminder that when nations awaken, history truly changes, he said.