Reclaiming Leadership in the Muslim World
Qamar Bashir
Once admired as a pillar of progress and stability among Muslim nations, Pakistan was, for decades, a country that inspired confidence within the Islamic world. Its seasoned bureaucracy, highly trained military, and commitment to constitutional governance allowed it to play a leadership role in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and other global platforms. Pakistan not only spoke for itself but often served as the collective voice of the Muslim Ummah, earning respect from both allies and adversaries. However, this status gradually eroded due to a series of internal and external upheavals. Political instability, military takeovers, economic mismanagement, and the lasting impacts of the Afghan jihad and the post-9/11 global security realignment plunged the nation into prolonged crisis. Pakistan transitioned from being seen as a confident leader to a struggling state, often characterized by insecurity, debt, and international isolation.
But under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistan is now mounting a serious and multi-dimensional effort to reclaim its lost leadership position in the Muslim world. Central to this effort is Sharif’s recognition that diplomatic prominence cannot be sustained without a strong economic and technological foundation. This realization led him to simultaneously launch a bold internal revival strategy—Vision URAAN—while executing a well-coordinated diplomatic offensive. Sharif’s vision reflects an understanding that to lead the Muslim world once more, Pakistan must not only speak well but perform well; it must be both respected and relied upon for stability, innovation, and development.
Sharif’s foreign policy has been marked by calculated engagement with key Muslim and non-Muslim states. In less than two years, he has visited Saudi Arabia, Iran, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Belarus, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and China—each visit strategically designed to restore trust, boost economic ties, and reassert Pakistan’s relevance. In April 2024, he participated in the World Economic Forum Special Meeting in Riyadh, signaling Pakistan’s commitment to global economic discourse and energy collaboration. His visit to Iran resulted in an ambitious pledge to increase bilateral trade to $10 billion annually, a milestone in relations long marred by mutual suspicion and border tensions. Sharif’s state visit to Beijing deepened the China-Pakistan strategic partnership, reinforcing CPEC’s importance and addressing regional security alongside economic collaboration. Meanwhile, Turkish President Erdoğan’s visit to Islamabad in early 2025 culminated in over two dozen agreements covering defense cooperation, trade, education, and cultural exchange. In Azerbaijan, Sharif secured $2 billion in infrastructure and energy sector investment, highlighting Pakistan’s growing value to Eurasian partners.
These visits were not just ceremonial but deeply consequential—each rooted in a broader strategy to reintegrate Pakistan into the Muslim world’s political and economic frameworks. Yet what makes Shehbaz Sharif’s approach uniquely effective is the dual-track strategy he has adopted: while he strengthens foreign relations abroad, he is laying the groundwork for internal transformation at home through Vision URAAN. URAAN is not just a policy document; it is the national revival blueprint aimed at transforming Pakistan into a stable, self-reliant, and high-tech economy by 2035. The plan revolves around the “5Es Framework”: Exports, E-Pakistan (Digital Transformation), Energy, Environment, and Equity (Social Empowerment). This ambitious agenda is driven by the belief that no country can exert moral, political, or diplomatic leadership without first securing economic sovereignty and technological competitiveness.
Sharif’s approach reflects the wisdom of a leader who understands the dynamics of 21st-century global leadership. He knows that Pakistan can no longer lead the Muslim world by appealing to history or ideological solidarity alone. In today’s interconnected world, leadership stems from the ability to offer solutions—solutions to poverty, energy, conflict, climate change, and digital exclusion. Hence, URAAN focuses on digitizing the economy, expanding the export base, reducing fossil fuel dependency through green energy, and empowering marginalized communities through inclusive growth. These goals are not just economic—they are geo-strategic. A technologically advanced, economically vibrant, and socially inclusive Pakistan will naturally command influence in the Muslim world and gain legitimacy on global platforms.
The diplomatic aspect of this transformation is equally important. Hosting major events like the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in Islamabad in 2024 and high-profile visits by dignitaries from the Gulf, Central Asia, and the West, Pakistan is reshaping its image from that of a fragile state to a hub of regional dialogue. The meeting between Prime Minister Sharif and Bill Gates in June 2024 was another example of how Sharif is leveraging international partnerships to fast-track Pakistan’s digital and health transformations—again linking foreign policy to domestic goals.
This synergy between internal revival and external outreach is precisely what had been missing in Pakistan’s past attempts to lead the Muslim world. Previous governments either focused too much on ideological posturing or isolated economic reforms, failing to integrate the two into a holistic strategy. Sharif has broken that mold by ensuring that every diplomatic handshake is backed by a credible domestic policy and every foreign investment opportunity aligns with national priorities.
Of course, challenges remain daunting. Pakistan continues to grapple with inflation, foreign debt, and political polarization. Institutional capacity is still weak in many sectors, and resistance from entrenched interest groups can slow down reform. But the direction is promising. The current government has received strong backing from the military establishment, which appears to have aligned itself with this civilian-led developmental and diplomatic paradigm. The judiciary and parliament, too, have thus far supported key reforms, creating a rare moment of institutional consensus.
As the global order becomes increasingly multipolar, the Muslim world is also seeking new anchors of leadership—nations that can combine Islamic identity with modern governance and economic performance. Pakistan, with its demographic weight, strategic geography, military strength, and now reformist momentum, is uniquely positioned to fill that void. The world is beginning to take notice. If the vision remains steady and implementation consistent, Pakistan will not only recover its lost stature but evolve into a model for moderate, modern, and capable Muslim leadership.
In essence, Shehbaz Sharif’s leadership is not about nostalgia—it is about reimagining Pakistan’s future by rebuilding its foundations. He understands that in today’s world, influence flows from strength—economic strength, technological capability, and strategic diplomacy. With Vision URAAN powering internal reform and a carefully calibrated foreign policy restoring international ties, Pakistan’s journey toward regaining its leadership role in the Muslim world is no longer a mere aspiration—it is a national mission in progress.
