Are we prepared for a change?

It is only normal to expect that political leadership would lead people during severe economic and political crises

Very few countries face security challenges of the magnitude that Pakistan confronts. Some are a part of the legacy we inherited, several due to geo-strategic compulsions or faulty national policies of the past and present. Whatever the root causes, the fact remains that the country continues to suffer. These challenges have been analysed in the past and certain actions were taken by successive governments to counter them, but many still persist and pose a serious challenge to the security of the state and well-being of its people. It is important that the parliament which is already seized with the problem reassess the security situation and examine what possible measures could be taken to eliminate or reduce their impact.

The list is long but the more current kinetic and non-kinetic threats are India’s perennial hostility and the unresolved Kashmir dispute; the disturbed Afghan border and the increasing threat of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP); low-level but persistent insurgency and political dissatisfaction in Balochistan; unrest in parts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa close to the Afghan border; the economic crisis that has pushed the country to the verge of bankruptcy; highly confrontational political environment posing a serious threat to smooth governance, economic recovery and national reputation; and state institutions failing to abide by basic constitutional obligations.

The above list may not be complete but includes most of the major threats and challenges. From this it is easy to infer the magnitude and intensity of these and how unprepared and ill-equipped the nation is to face these perils.

The political parties, instead of addressing these problems with national resolve in a workable democratic framework, are skirting responsibility and magnifying the problems by entangling themselves in petty blame game against each other. Whatever short-term gains the PMLN-led coalition government looks to achieve by holding on to power would be soon lost if they are unable to place the country in the right direction. In case of failure, people will express their resentment whose burden will fall on the party in power in the next elections. Similarly, PTI’s focus on demolishing the image and reputation of its opponents can go only that far, but is not helpful in addressing the real issues of the state. A cooperative approach could have helped the government in negotiating a somewhat better deal with the IMF. For example, following the dictates of the IMF, the government has raised taxes to a level that would break the back of the poor. And there is a view among certain well-reputed economists that the deal has killed any possibility of economic development. They maintain that with higher taxes and low wages, it is not possible to build capital. If that be so, the country would remain locked in an economic situation and the poor will be its worst sufferers and at the mercy of charities.

It is only normal to expect that political leadership would lead the people during severe economic and political crises. But as history reminds us and the present attitude of leaders reaffirms the view that this phenomenon is largely absent. Our politicians seem to be more interested in settling personal scores rather than seriously addressing national problems. Moreover, the effect of ill-conceived policies has a generational impact that hurts the younger generation the most.

Another area of serious concern is Balochistan’s disturbed security situation that has weakened its already fragile economy. And as it worsens the militant outfits — be it the Balochistan Liberation Front or the TTP — find it expedient to exploit it to their advantage.

The perennial hostility between India and Pakistan, the two major countries of South Asia, are depriving their people of the advantage of economic cooperation and several benefits that the experience of Europe, Latin America and South East Asia reminds us of. The irony is that the ideological divide between India and Pakistan was supposed to have been settled at the partition. Finding an amicable solution to the Kashmir dispute that gives a voice to its people to carve their own destiny will go a long way in normalising relations between the two countries. It will change a conflictual and biased mindset to a more mature and balanced relationship. Undoubtedly, this is not going to be easy especially as PM Modi has taken a short-term approach by pursuing the policy of abandoning any form of contact with a view to isolating Pakistan. Of course, these inimical designs in the long term will also harm India. A sound assessment of India’s policy on Kashmir should remind Modi that his bigoted approach of crushing aspirations of the people of Kashmir and denying them their rights has only intensified the people’s resolve.

The other disturbing aspect that indirectly affects India-Pakistan relations is their treatment of minorities. The BJP government’s attitude towards Muslims in India and other minorities has been a matter of serious concern. The treatment of minorities in Pakistan too has to improve considerably. Incidents of Hindu girls being forced into marriage with Muslims in Sindh are another manifestation of gross human rights violations.

Failure of Pakistan to develop into a mature democratic state is due to two major factors. The political parties’ feudal and dynastic dominant character prevents them from promoting a fully democratic culture within their party and in the country. The army’s involvement in politics and power sharing is another major factor that has stifled democracy. This makes it far more difficult to reform the political system, even though the people are increasingly distressed by economic conditions and political infighting. A combination of negative trends will continue to diminish us. We have not only to stop but reverse these trends and keep at it until it is within our grasp.

The success of democratic and communist countries does not seem to inspire us although there is so much we could learn from their rise. We need to understand as a people that we cannot live with failures anymore.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 15^th, 2023.

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