Last week in Washington, I had the honor of moderating a fireside chat with Mr. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Chairman of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and former Foreign Minister of Pakistan, as part of a special convening hosted by the Truman National Security Project. In the audience sat a formidable and experienced Pakistani delegation, including the Ambassador to the U.S., senior ministers, senators, former ambassadors, and foreign policy officials who later engaged directly in a thoughtful audience Q&A. It was a rare and candid moment of mutual reflection and strategic clarity between two countries often described as critical, yet complicated partners.

The conversation ranged across vital terrain: bilateral diplomacy, counterterrorism cooperation, regional stability, and trade expansion. Chairman Bhutto Zardari’s responses underscored a forward-looking vision rooted in pragmatic cooperation and an understanding of the evolving global order. His remarks emphasized the need to shed the weight of mistrust in favor of rebuilding durable mechanisms for partnership, particularly in areas of climate resilience, economic modernization, and counter-extremism.

Shared Security, Shared Sacrifice

On security, Chairman Bhutto Zardari made clear that Pakistan’s domestic counterterrorism strategy cannot be disentangled from regional dynamics - particularly the volatility in Afghanistan and escalating concerns over Indo-Pacific stability. Underscoring the stakes for Islamabad, he noted: “Pakistan has endured repeated waves of extremism and has undertaken substantial internal reforms to prevent future outbreaks. Alarmingly, disparate militant groups with no shared ideological foundation, such as the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), Islamic State-Khorasan (ISIS-K), East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ), and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) are now cooperating operationally. These unlikely alliances are being strengthened by access to advanced weaponry left behind in Afghanistan. If such ideologically divergent groups can coordinate their tactics, there is every reason to be concerned about the future scale of regional terrorism. This is why I have long advocated, both during my tenure as Foreign Minister and beyond, for robust regional and international intelligence-sharing to confront these evolving, transnational threats.”

Pakistan has lost tens of thousands of lives, both civilian and military in the war on terror, and its economy continues to feel the shockwaves of regional instability. Washington would do well to acknowledge these sacrifices not as footnotes, but as foundational contributions to shared global security.

He also emphasized the need for deeper U.S. - Pakistan intelligence-sharing, grounded in mutual respect for sovereignty. Such collaboration is critical as U.S. policymakers recalibrate alliances in a post-withdrawal world. Counterterrorism cooperation must not be episodic or transactional, it must be systemic and sustained.

What the U.S. Stands to Gain

Equally compelling was the discussion of economic opportunity. Pakistan, situated at the crossroads of Central and South Asia, offers serious potential for investment in agriculture, renewable energy, and digital infrastructure. With initiatives like the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) already reshaping the region, Chairman Bhutto Zardari noted that global players, including the U.S. - should reconsider how regional economic connectivity can be harnessed for long-term stability.

For the U.S., this isn’t charity - it’s strategy. American investment in Pakistan means expanded markets, diversified supply chains, and a stronger counterweight to authoritarian influence. It also strengthens civil society and anchors democratic institutions in one of the world’s most populous Muslim-majority nations. At a moment when Washington is looking to reset its approach to Asia, ignoring Pakistan’s economic potential is a strategic misstep.

Pakistan as a Regional Stabilizer

What emerged most powerfully from the delegation’s presence was Pakistan’s readiness to lead as a regional stabilizer. From Minister for Climate Change Dr. Musadik Malik to Senator Sherry Rehman and former Foreign Secretaries Tehmina Janjua and Jalil Abbas Jilani, the bench strength was undeniable. Their participation was not ceremonial, it was substantive. Their presence underscored a commitment to grappling with complex issues - from Pakistan’s regional positioning on Iran and the Kashmir dispute to climate diplomacy and countering the rise of Islamophobia in global narratives. This was not a country asking what the West could do for it; this was a country demonstrating what it is prepared to do for the region.

A Call to Action

As the Muslim world prepares to celebrate Eid al-Adha, a moment of reflection and renewal - this is an ideal time to reset this bilateral relationship. The United States and Pakistan have weathered a turbulent history, but shared interests remain: security, prosperity, and a stable South Asia.

U.S. decision-makers must move beyond outdated paradigms. It is time to recognize Pakistan not only as a recipient, but as a regional stabilizer and strategic actor. This means choosing long-term partnerships over short-term optics. It means listening not just to official podiums but to emerging voices and institutional leaders charting Pakistan’s future.

Chairman Bhutto Zardari said it best during our discussion: “Let us sit as neighbors and speak the truth.” That truth is clear: the U.S. - Pakistan relationship is at a crossroads, and if we invest in it wisely, both nations and the region stand to benefit.

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Views expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views, policies, or positions of any organization, employer, or affiliated group.