Loud Thinking

Book Review: Pakistan in the 21st Century
By Ambassador (R) Syed Hasan Javed
Published by: New Fakhari Printing Press, Karachi
ISBN: 978-969-7947-07-2

In Pakistan in the 21st Century, Ambassador (R) Syed Hasan Javed presents a compelling and multidimensional analysis of Pakistan’s trajectory in a rapidly evolving global order. With a distinguished diplomatic career and a prolific body of written work, Ambassador Javed brings a wealth of insight to bear on the challenges and opportunities facing Pakistan in this new century.

Drawing on decades of experience in foreign service — including extensive engagement with China, a nation that has formally recognized his contributions — the author offers an informed critique of Pakistan’s domestic dynamics, regional relations, and global positioning. His writing is characterized by clarity, intellectual rigor, and a deep-rooted sense of patriotic realism.

What sets this book apart is its forward-looking approach. Rather than offering a mere retrospective or a reiteration of familiar problems, Pakistan in the 21st Century actively explores strategic solutions for governance, education, economic reform, and foreign policy realignment. The author emphasizes the need for long-term thinking, institutional resilience, and cultural self-confidence — themes that resonate powerfully in today’s interconnected world.

Particularly notable is Ambassador Javed’s nuanced perspective on Pakistan-China relations. His insights into how Pakistan can learn from the Chinese model of development, innovation, and national cohesion are timely and thought-provoking. It is perhaps no surprise that the Chinese government has honored him in the past — his grasp of China’s rise and its implications for South Asia is both deep and pragmatic.

The book is also rich in historical context, helping readers understand Pakistan’s modern challenges against the backdrop of its past. It invites policy makers, academics, students, and engaged citizens alike to think critically about what the future could and should look like for Pakistan.

In summary, Pakistan in the 21st Century is an essential contribution to contemporary Pakistani thought. It is a work of vision, born from experience, and driven by a clear-eyed hope for a more stable, prosperous, and strategically aligned Pakistan. Ambassador (R) Syed Hasan Javed has once again proven himself to be not only a diplomat but also a statesman-scholar of rare insight.

Syed Nayyar Uddin Ahmad
5 July 2025
Lahore.
+92 321 9402157