In recent revelations, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has publicly accused mercenaries from China, Pakistan, and other countries of fighting alongside Russian forces. This startling admission underscores a troubling pattern of clandestine activities carried out by Pakistan’s military establishment — activities that benefit a few at the expense of transparency and national integrity.

The Pakistani government denied the allegations through an official handout by its foreign ministry. However, for years, Pakistan’s military-led regime has maintained a clandestine stance, quietly profiting from a complex web of double dealings. On one hand, Pakistani military entities — most notably the Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF) — are believed to be involved in selling ammunition to Ukraine, a move that ostensibly aligns with Pakistan’s diplomatic posture of neutrality. On the other hand, reports suggest that the same regime has been sending mercenaries to fight alongside Russian forces, effectively playing both sides of the conflict for profit.

This covert activity raises serious questions. Is Pakistan truly selling ammunition to Ukraine? There are verified reports validating this fact. If so, why is the government reluctant to openly acknowledge its involvement? The billions of dollars earned by POF from these clandestine arms deals, which are publicly funded institutions, remain shrouded in secrecy. The Pakistani public has a right to know where their tax money is going and how it is being used.

The military regime’s strategy appears to be one of calculated appeasement — pleasing the US-led Western powers by providing ammunition to Ukraine, while simultaneously satisfying China’s interests by deploying mercenaries fighting alongside Russian forces. This duplicitous approach allows the regime to profit from both ends, maintaining a delicate balance of influence and financial gain. This strategy is reminiscent of the double-dealing with the USA in Afghanistan. However, such devilish double-dealing is unlikely to serve Pakistan’s long-term interests.

Behind closed doors, Pakistan’s military elite continues to profit from these covert ventures, all while the domestic population remains kept in the dark. This opacity fosters a dangerous environment where the true extent of Pakistan’s involvement in international conflicts is hidden from the public eye, raising concerns about accountability, sovereignty, and the future stability of the nation.

In the end, Pakistan’s pattern of clandestine double-dealing — selling arms to one side, sending mercenaries to another — illustrates a reckless pursuit of profits at the expense of national integrity. As the world becomes increasingly aware of these activities, the regime’s duplicitous tactics threaten to backfire, potentially embroiling Pakistan in conflicts it claims to be distant from. The time has come for transparency and accountability, for the Pakistani people deserve to know the full story behind their nation’s shadowy dealings on the global stage.