Academic deliberation: Youth could turn violent if ignored, warns scholar

Visiting US scholar talks about Pakistan’s democracy, Afghan and peace talks.

ISLAMABAD:

Cautiously optimistic about the younger generation, an American academic sees hope for Pakistan in its youth.

However, Dr Marvin Weinbaum – now serving as a scholar-in-residence at the Middle East Institute, Washington DC – warned that the youth could take a “non-peaceful” route like the Arab Spring if the current democratic dispensation failed to meet their expectations.

In an interview with the Express Media Group on Friday, he said the standard of higher education in the country has improved and students plus faculty of these universities are more dynamic. However, the scholar cautioned that the same educated youth, if not provided employment opportunities, would get frustrated and could become the ‘vanguard’ of change that may turn violent.

“You are fortunate that you do not have demagogues. But challenges still remain. Pakistan needs to strengthen its parliament and for that, you need a new brand of legislators. Sitting in parliament should not only be a status symbol,” explained Dr Weinbaum.



Pak-US relations

According to Dr Weinbaum, Pakistan-US relations have improved since the Nawaz government came to power. He also believes that the US should give Pakistan the same respect, which had been giving to India on certain matters.

He said the two countries need each other and should build strong ties based on mutual respect. “We need you and you need us. It should not be about who needs whom more.”

The good and bad in politics

The visiting scholar also drew interesting comparisons of successive regimes and political figures in the country since 1970s. He was never impressed by the political acumen of former President Asif Ali Zardari. In his opinion, Nawaz Sharif at least has some good people in his team.”

“Good thing about Nawaz Sharif is that he knows what he does not know. He is surrounded by some capable people,” he remarked. He particularly complimented Sartaj Aziz, “He has been there for ages. I admire him.”

Pak-Afghan relations

He insisted that once elections take place in Afghanistan, Pakistan must take the initiative to bridge the mistrust with its Western neighbour.

He argued that the new government in Afghanistan will not withstand the challenges of terrorism and that will also affect Pakistan as well. The two countries should target the insurgents on their soil, he maintained. “If the issue of insurgency is addressed by both the countries, it will automatically reduce India’s role in Afghanistan.”

He also warned of a new state between Pakistan and Afghanistan – Pashtunistan – if the country failed to curb militancy.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 29^th, 2014.