Pakistan, Aug. 14 -- Pakistan turns 79 with more than a few hard-won gains to its name. Since the flags last went up, the country has converted its dangerous confrontation with India into a demonstration of military preparedness and restraint; deepened its strategic compact with Saudi Arabia; helped place Islamabad at the centre of the US-Iran diplomatic process and, only days ago, joined Saudi Arabia and Turkiye in the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement. For a state that spent much of the preceding decade being discussed through default risk, terrorism and political fragility, the change in tone is difficult to miss.

Marka-e-Haq mattered because Pakistan emerged with its deterrent credibility intact and its diplomatic room enlarged. The Saud...