By Sardar Khan Niazi

As bombs fall, borders shift, and grief multiplies, the question resounds across the conscience of the world: what does justice for Palestine truly look like? Beyond ceasefires and reconstruction, beyond broken UN resolutions and symbolic gestures, a deeper and longer arc must bend toward dignity. That arc is powerful. The future of Palestine hinges not merely on liberation from occupation but on the construction of real, sustainable power–for and by Palestinians. For decades, the Palestinian cause has remained entangled in the lexicon of victimhood. While the pain and suffering of the people are undeniable, justice cannot be achieved solely through pity. The world must begin to see Palestine not as a permanent humanitarian crisis, but as a society capable of self-determination, resilience, and leadership. That shift in framing is crucial. It is time to stop asking only how to stop the destruction and start asking how to build something enduring in its place. Palestinians need more than aid. They need infrastructure, education, political unity, digital sovereignty, economic independence, and diplomatic power. Real change will come when Palestine is no longer a site of charity but a center of agency. Moreover, this is where the international community–particularly countries like Pakistan–can play a transformative role. Pakistan’s solidarity with Palestine has always been heartfelt, but this moment demands a move from emotion to strategy. The post-Gaza moment is a turning point, and Pakistan can help lead a Global South vision for Palestinian empowerment. That includes technology transfers, scholarships, investment in renewable energy infrastructure in the West Bank, and support for rebuilding Gaza’s devastated education and health sectors. This is not about idealism; it is about recalibrating geopolitics. A Palestine with power–economic, political, and cultural–is a challenge to the status quo, but it is also the only route to sustainable peace. Every occupation eventually ends, but what comes after is shaped by what was built during the struggle. It is the responsibility of the Global South to help Palestine prepare for a future where it is not merely surviving, but thriving. One key pillar is political power. A fractured Palestinian leadership cannot carry the torch of a new world. Unity is essential–not just between Hamas and Fatah, but among youth, diaspora communities, and civil society. True power will not come from military might, but from democratic legitimacy, internal accountability, and a shared national vision. The world must support–not dictate–the emergence of a credible, unified Palestinian political project. Another pillar is economic empowerment. Palestine cannot forever depend on donor nations and international NGOs. There must be investment in entrepreneurship, trade networks with friendly countries, and the development of sectors like tech, agriculture, and sustainable energy. Gaza’s youth, in particular, deserve the tools to build their own future–not just wait for others to save them from ruins. Then there is narrative power. Others–oppressors, sympathizers, media machines– have always painted Palestine. The future must include digital platforms where Palestinians speak in their own voice, tell their own stories, and set their agenda. Cultural production–film, music, journalism, literature–is not decoration but resistance. It is the reclaiming of identity. To build power for Palestine is to believe that Palestinians are more than victims. It is to insist that they are builders of a new world–not just for themselves, but for all who believe in justice, freedom, and dignity. The road ahead is long and uncertain. However, from the ashes, a future can rise. Not a replica of broken systems, but a vision born from pain, sustained by hope, and built with solidarity. The world does not need more statements. It needs structures. Let us begin.