Asif Mahmood
Once again, Pakistan finds itself the target of false and irresponsible reporting. This time, the Financial Times has claimed that an American port or base is being developed in Pasni. The story is entirely fabricated, baseless, and clearly part of a wider information campaign aimed at damaging Pakistan’s image and creating doubts about its independent foreign policy.
The truth is simple and evident. No offer of a Pasni port has ever been made by the state of Pakistan. There has been no discussion of such an idea at any official, diplomatic, or strategic level. Islamabad has held no talks with the White House or any other foreign government about Pasni. Any private commercial conversations involving foreign firms are exploratory in nature and have nothing to do with state policy or official initiatives.
Pakistan’s governance system is institutional and transparent. Every economic or strategic proposal must pass through ministries, regulators, and the cabinet process. Only after thorough evaluation for national interest, security, and commercial viability can a proposal move forward. Private conversations or informal ideas do not represent government policy.
Despite these clear facts, the story published abroad tries to blur the line between rumor and policy. It presents a speculative private idea as if it were a state-backed project. The report even claims the proposal is “not official policy” while at the same time linking it to the agenda of Pakistan’s military leadership. Such contradictions expose the lack of journalistic integrity and the deliberate attempt to confuse readers.
Equally irresponsible is the casual use of official titles. The story refers to “an adviser to the Chief of the Army Staff” without any verification from ISPR or other official sources. Presenting private remarks as national policy not only misinforms readers but also undermines the credibility of the publication itself. Responsible journalism requires facts, not speculation.
The unnecessary inclusion of a “China angle” further exposes the bias behind the narrative. Linking a private commercial idea to Pakistan’s relations with China is an attempt to sow distrust. Like any sovereign nation, Pakistan maintains balanced relations with all major powers. India trades with China, engages Russia, and courts the United States while maintaining its own autonomy. Yet when Pakistan is approached by private firms, it is unfairly accused of shifting alliances.
Pakistan’s commitments, including the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, remain firm and transparent. Any future engagement, if ever considered, will go through proper state channels. Pakistan does not conduct foreign policy through rumors or backdoor dealings.
In reality, the so-called “Pasni port” exists only in speculation. There is no offer, no discussion, and no agreement. The entire story is another example of how misinformation is used to undermine Pakistan’s credibility and question its sovereignty.
At a time when the world is fighting the battle of narratives, Pakistan must continue to respond with facts, confidence, and clarity. The Pasni story is not journalism, it is propaganda. And it should be recognized as such.
And perhaps that is the real story : when Pakistan refuses to play the script others write for it, the headlines are conveniently invented. For some in the Western press, Pakistan’s stability seems less exciting than their own imagination. Maybe next time, instead of building ports on paper, they should first anchor their journalism in facts.