Pakistan in the year 2001. Highlighting economic, geopolitical, financial and social factors and development.

Prologue:
“I beseech you God to accept my humble prayer. I solemnly pledge that IF you absolve my sins, I shall be honest, devoted and dedicated. Place the welfare of my countrymen before my family; evermore think of them before I think of myself. I will religiously refrain from being corrupt. I will become a true leader to my country. This is my new year’s resolution………and oh God, one more thing …incase I forget again this year …promise me that you will give another chance.”


The hinges of time, fate and God’s will have swung us into another new year. Despite the noble intent that carved the vision of a separate homeland into reality, Pakistan has played a tragic role in the global drama. A role in which the crucial and powerful characteristics like historical progression, established community, territorial division, political and economic built-up, social and cultural makeup etc was deliberately lacking.

Struggling ever since it’s embryonic stage, Pakistan has faced great evolution. Today at this new turn it seems that it has been perpetually standing at intersections of economic, political, religious, social and developmental quagmire where the affixing foundations like law, social welfare, education etc seem to be sinking.

Out of a span of 55 years, 40% of this precious time has been wasted in the still whirling wheel of political and religious intermix, disgraced politicians, denounced governments etc. The militia has taken up the rest of the 60% of the ruling time with six marshal law administrators. (Iskandar Mirza, Ayub Khan, Yahya Khan, Z.A. Bhutto, Zia-ul-Haq and Perveiz Musharaf) who in collaboration with the feudal lobby did not allow the political structure to develop and have purposely has kept the political infant in the incubator.

The instability in Pakistan has been caused by the failure of the rulers to envision an economic policy that leads to the realization of their political interest. While we frantically require an optimal system of government, the finance ministers and the interior ministers have either been imported or recommended by the international bodies under the influence of western economic powers. The contemporary world only allows a nation of economic potency to exercise its political autonomy and here the IMF/World Bank are practically on top of Pakistan with the load of its bone-crushing external debt. They therefore, conveniently operate its economy for it and thus notions of total political independence are farfetched.

Restructuring and rejuvenation is direly required for the Pakistani economy or our national security interests will suffer and this maybe the only chance we might have to pull Pakistan out of tribulations, if this government can bring in a truly elected democratic government instead of the compromised version of international bodies.

Each year promises have been made and broken by those who think that they can lead. So much time, assets and opportunities rest wasted. Pakistan is strategically and idyllically based to its advantage next to Great China, beneath the Soviet Union, at a pivoting point of entry to the Central Asian Republics, Far East and Europe. It is next to the Middle Eastern block and could have brilliant defense relations with the oil rich states, mostly Muslims. The utilization of the preeminent provision of the ancient trade silk route by Pakistan to Great China and the Central Asian States, which are filthy rich and also need access to the warm waters of the Arabian Sea. The question remains that which of these natural advantages has been utilized?

The social balance of our varied ethnicities is swaying; a hopeful future is expected from a generation that is being brought up without proper sanitation or nourishment, mental starvation owing to the pathetic curriculum in our schools. The rights of our fellow-citizens have been embarrassingly trampled this year all over the globe. Pakistanis abroad are hardworking and skilled yet communities let the reputation of a few Muslims precede the entire people. Our nation was labeled a corrupt and terrorist state, then asked to join hands to help fight against their Afghan brothers, and we did.

While India, 41 years ago prudently realized the importance of IT and laid its foundation through the Indian Institute of Technology, we still require solid groundwork to harness its potential for development. The blasé approach of successive governments and the blame game seems to be becoming a norm. More public institutions have fallen apart because they weren’t properly funded and internal and external monitoring, evaluation and accountability were non-existent. The slope is not negative but that is not much cause for celebration, still we can catch up with the IT world by swiftly expanding this infrastructure, provide incentives to stop the unending hemorrhage of IT professionals and allow benefits from free flow of information and knowledge.

Along with these problems, Pakistan is been repeatedly underline internationally and mostly in unfavorable light. Despite the publicity Pakistan basks in as a nuclear power state, it is finding itself increasingly isolated internationally due to its economic Achilles' heel. While encountering and justifying internal problems, its seem that it is forgotten that in the up-and-coming establishment of economic globalization a nation’s economic policy will be the rational extension of the foreign policy, creating the strategic interests for a nation to go into strategic partnerships on bases on economic and financial interests.

Another factor that will become more apparent if the nation sinks further in the economic morass is the dissension between the provinces that will compete with each other for economic compensation. At such a time, a political collapse, political instability or the threatened warfare would amplify this discord and the existing resentment between the provinces pertaining to their economic fortunes.

Furthermore it would be a deathblow for Pakistan to be devoured by internal conditions that would lead to a weakening stronghold resulting in international pressure (prompted by India) to amend its foreign policies. With the Pakistani autonomy not yet written off in the debt accounts of IMF/World Bank, there will hardly be an opening for negotiation while external intentions are made mandatory. The signing of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty would slacken the nuclear research, development and confidentiality by allowing international bodies to penetrate into the system for inspection while placing Pakistan precisely on the nuclear level the transnational powers want it to be. Another would be the moderation of its position of the Kashmiri line of control that is recognized as an international border. Already correlations with our gracious Indian neighbor are balancing on the edge of a gunpowder barrel owing to the Delhi Parliament blast.

For a nation situated in extremely unstable geo-political surroundings that are steadily racing downhill, Pakistan desperately needs the safeguard of matching armed forces. Again this year not many affirmative changes promise a stronger military vis-à-vis equipment acquisition. Yet again all possible parties that can provide the weapon systems necessary have preferred negotiating pacts with our eastern military rival. The trend of the US-Afghan war that was inconceivable at the turn of last year is already posing as a threat to Pakistan this year so who can say what the coming decade might drag along. Despite the fact that Pakistan played a crucial role in the US lead war; the leaders marching the corridors of power were unable to use this to the nations advantage as it could have been used.

Our need for reliable and intellectual direction could perhaps never be greater. The key is to be honest about our condition, accept it for what it is and not give up hope. In all these years of sheer blundering, some worthy heads of state have still not managed to do irreparable damage to Pakistan though they stand accused of lagging and lacked the nerve and insight to steer the nation into the new century. Still the people of Pakistan still hope and wait…

What we are now witnessing to the most interesting part of the political chess, the strategic mid play where Pakistan need to get its pawns to the other side of the board to get back what it has lost before somebody calls out “Checkmate”! A much-discussed pastime at Pakistani gatherings everywhere with leading questions like “Will there be a war?” “ What should be his next move?” “ Do you think Pakistan will survive this economic state?” “Who is at fault?”
With dinner finished, cigarettes are lightened followed by discussions; opinions are voiced, sides are chosen, tones become passionate, eyes are rolled, tempers flare, feelings rule reason, egos spar, insults are exchanged, somebody leaves the drawing room and everybody is quiet…the talk is over; until the next time they all meet again, be it ‘in thunder, lightening or in rain.’