Renowned business leader and former president of the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dr. Shahid Rasheed Butt, has stated that Iran has shattered the illusion of Israel’s military prowess, technical expertise, and supposedly invincible defense systems.
He said that the United States suffered enormous human and financial losses in Afghanistan before retreating, and it must not repeat the mistake of becoming entangled in the complex and volatile Middle East quagmire, which involves a multitude of political, religious, and territorial conflicts.
In the current situation, China and Russia will not remain silent observers. If Islamic countries continue to remain shackled by fear and do not unite, they will be eliminated one after the other, he added.
Addressing an emergency meeting of traders and industrialists, he stressed the urgent need for a global response to Israel’s military aggression. The lack of such a response and the failure of certain Western nations to act is alarming. At the same time, the inaction of many Muslim rulers has become a stain on the collective conscience of the Ummah.
Dr. Butt said that poorly equipped Iran has managed to instill fear in Israel despite its modern defense infrastructure, intelligence networks, and powerful international backers. This fear is a testament to Iran’s strategic capabilities and the changing power dynamics in the region. For decades, Israel kept the Muslim world psychologically subdued. Still, the time has come for Islamic countries to break free from this mental prison. It has now been proven that Israel is not invincible.
He stated that after setting Afghanistan ablaze for two decades, the United States barely managed to escape with its battered reputation. Despite sinking billions of dollars and losing thousands of soldiers, defeat was its destiny. Now, the US must avoid plunging into the Iranian swamp to face further humiliation.
Dr. Butt warned that if the war in the Middle East expands, China and Russia will not remain passive. A global or cold war could erupt, accelerating the decline of American global dominance.
He emphasized that the situation will have a direct impact on Pakistan. If the Iran-Israel conflict intensifies, global markets will be shaken, and Pakistan’s developing economy will suffer tremors. Rising oil and gas prices, disrupted export markets, reduced investments, and growing political uncertainty could prove disastrous for the country.
Dr. Shahid Rasheed Butt urged the government of Pakistan to realign its foreign policy in accordance with emerging realities and adopt a dignified and farsighted stance. He stressed that Pakistan must present itself on the global stage as a principled, stable, and resolute state to safeguard against the looming threats.
The business leader warned that history is repeating itself with far greater dangers. He said Pakistan must act with prudence and reject neutrality born of weakness. Strategic decisions should reflect national interest and Islamic solidarity. He emphasized the importance of countering psychological and narrative warfare. Any delay in strengthening economic and strategic resilience could prove disastrous, he warned.
