Imperilled Pakistan
A sore heart prevented me from taking a pen for pretty long time. Sore because of injustice, lack of rule of law, incivility, imprudence and high-handedness in the society. The above cited blog was written in May 2018. Not only what I wished then got missed but I feel we have gone bad to worst. The purpose of my write-up isn’t to cast aspersions or blame someone. In fact the purpose is to show my concern as a patriot and highlight how Pakistan is hostage to egos and vested interests. Biggest wish is that we realise sooner than later and stop damaging this beautiful country. Let the system grow to overtake personalities.
A beautiful and blessed country is shackled by not so desirable attitudes, personal egos and vested interests. A saner mind would be at loss to understand the rationale behind our collective pursuits. Our national energy is getting consumed in unnecessary battles.
Pakistan is unfortunately located amidst a troubled neighbourhood. One side is India which is big but not great. It spares no opportunity for damaging Pakistan. On the second side is dysfunctional Afghanistan which has itself become a gave-yard to earn the title of grave-yard of empires. It has remained disturbed for over 200 years in its modern history. Third side is a sanctioned Iran which brings-in its own part of challenges. Only normal and benevolent neighbour is China. China holds tremendous promises-laden opportunities for Pakistan.
To top it all, again and again the region has come to centre stage of rivalry of giants. First British Empire and Soviet empire locked horns prior creation of Pakistan. Second, US came to give crushing blow to Soviet Empire in finale of Cold War. The region was still reeling out of ill-effects of these conflicts that world witnessed calamity of global terrorism. Once again two giants ie forces of order led by the US and forces of disorder led by AlQaeda were entangled. Max price was paid by Pakistan and Afghanistan while enemies of Pakistan got a hey day. Defence minister of Pakistan lately admitted that Pakistan did dirty work for the West. This admission was expected to mean that Pakistan will not do such a dirty work in 21st Century Geopolitics. However, ground indications show that may be owing to its inherent vulnerabilities Pakistan is once again shying from moving away from the US.
In such a complex and dreading geo-strategic environment Pakistan’s house in order is a critical requirement. Contrarily on internal front Pakistan has moved from bad to worst. In 2017 while writing my book, I mentioned three beautiful convergences which bode well for promising future of Pakistan. Firstly we had won war against terrorism, secondly, CPEC; a positive opportunity came on the horizon and thirdly Pakistan was transitioning towards relatively better democracy. Unfortunately last three years have seen reversal on all three. In last three years a controversial regime change was followed by active hostilities with all three neighbours of Pakistan ie Afghanistan, Iran and India. Prior to ambitious BRI, China settled its disputes with 14 of its neighbours as BRI wasn’t possible without stable external front. Contrarily, Pakistan is vying for CPEC with instability in and around it.
Regime change has left Pakistan divided and agitated. In any setup there ought to be at least one personality or department which is non-controversial and acceptable to all. Such an entity helps in resolving disputes. Today’s Pakistan doesn’t hold any personality or department of that stature and acceptability. Consequently, the fight is on and the country is suffering. For last three years Pakistan is fighting a battle on this front which is turning bad and bad with no end is sight. The situation got compounded due to pulls and pushes of global geopolitics and estrangement with India and Afghanistan. Though we gave a crushing blow to India in May 2025, which checkmated it in conventional domain but it exacerbated unconventional challenges from India and Afghanistan.
All three dimensions ie Sino-US rivalry, estrangement with Afghanistan and vitiated inner front are complementing each other. While first two may not be of our making but third one is definitely of our own making.
Basic strand of strategy is to bring our challenges to as less a number as possible, preferably to one so that one can focus. But ironically we are fighting on all the fronts simultaneously.
Pakistan must reassess its strategic orientation. Alignment with China secures our future albeit it will not be free of challenges. However it will be far better on CBA than alignment with the West (will explain this in another blog). Internally powers in Pakistan must submit to the will of the people of Pakistan as injunctioned by founding father Quaid e Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah (Allah may bless his soul). Pakistan must be left on auto-mode. Let it self correct itself.
Political temperatures may be cooled down even at the cost of ego. We may prefer victory of Pakistan over own victory. It’s so dreading to see people of KP and Punjab exchanging barbs. It can be disastrous for the federation.
President of Pakistan known as master of reconciliation may step forward and inject some sanity. It’s his national obligation. This division and infighting has the potential to seriously damage Pakistan.
The West which has extricated from the region may be left to rest in peace and Pakistan should collaborate with regional countries to seek stability, growth and development in the region. Over doses of conflict have ruined our body politic. Pakistan should shun any form of conflict within and without.
May Allah bless sympathetic and fair consideration to my thoughts. Allah may guide us in preferring victory of Pakistan over victory of an organisation or individual.
Sammilogger 