Pakistan – Struggles and Strategies

July 28, 2018

Pakistan – Struggles and Strategies

Padmini Arhant

Pakistan – The Islamist nation in the Indian sub-continent having sought independence on August 14th, 1947, the day before the parent, India on August 15th, 1947 as a result of colonial power devised partition with a parting gift Kashmir remaining the contentious issue for the progeny Pakistan.

Pakistan is yet to establish democracy as the free civilian authority serving the electorate mandate rather than the diktat of sources within and offshore.

Though independence and real freedom in a democracy and other political systems is far from reality due to shadow global government reining control over political events, economy and social evolution via proxies in governance and institutions, the experience of democracy is relative worldwide.

The official decree Indian Independence Act 1947 passed by British Parliament on July 5th, 1947 upon the colonial departure in 1947 referring to India and Pakistan as Dominions confining the autonomy to ninety nine years of which seventy one years gone by meaning the act nearing expiry in twenty eight years explains the imperialist motives to retain dominance.

In this respect, when reminded on this site https://padminiarhant.com with elaborate details on the Dominion reference in the Indian Independence Act 1947 and future implications from such inference,

Unlike Indian government and Parliament, Pakistan national assembly overwhelmingly acted passing legislation in 2010 essentially removing the term Dominion in the Statute of Independence declaration clarifying the independent status for Pakistan from 1947 onwards.

Dominion alludes to British Commonwealth that is maintained until today with British Monarchy and heir presiding over Commonwealth governments meeting in the so-called independence era.

As for Pakistan in the past seventy one years and up until now, the state has been subjugated by national forces viz. the Pakistan Army and the Intelligence Services Agency (ISI) asserting authority over legislative, administration and judiciary.

In fact, the military rule in Pakistan never ended even after the dismissal of former President, General Pervez Musharraf with the top brass in the army and ISI wielding power over civilian government evident in the latest developments and recent national election.

Pakistan military and ISI intervention in civilian rule is stated as necessary citing inherent corruption and incompetence of the administrations elected to power in the past three terms and earlier during the late Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto term in office. The former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto was assassinated in December 2007 during General Pervez Musharraf government in power.

Interestingly, Pakistan military and ISI in particular fail to recognize the worst legacy considering the army rule in Pakistan’s political history spanning over longer period than short lived civilian governments predominantly attributed to the former intrusion.

Going back to last Governor General and first President of Pakistan Iskander Mirza suspending the constitution much to own detriment enabling his then appointee General Ayub Khan to depose him set precedence thereafter with military successors General Yahya Khan and General Zia-ul Haq following suit in public execution of elected heads of state.

General Yahya Khan unsuccessful engagement in war with India over East Pakistan led to the liberation and formation of what is now known as Bangladesh.

Subsequently, General Pervez Musharraf daring nuclear India for potential nuclear confrontation in 1999 in Kargil war delivered outcome in favor of India.

Domestically, General Pervez Musharraf adopting army predecessors’ hard line policy, imposed emergency rule and massive crackdown on public institutions including the Supreme Court of Pakistan that ultimately forced him into exile until today.

The western backed General Pervez Musharraf was paid billions of dollars per then United States administrations account and U.S. State department expressing disappointment with Musharraf government failure to curb terror networks like Haqqani and radicalism in Saudi Arabia funded madrassas becoming recruits for al Qaeda.

On General Pervez Musharraf watch, Pakistani youth representing majority of population in the country were regularly abducted from urban and rural areas to undisclosed foreign locations under U.S. administration authorized renditions exercising unlawful extra judicial power.

The trajectory clearly demonstrates Pakistan army rulers’ priority and agenda for military confrontations with India and grossly neglected Pakistan population dire needs exacerbating people suffering and endangering lives not only in Pakistan but also in the entire South Asia.

The quest for power driving aspirants to attain by any means is the common trend not just in Pakistan but world over perhaps with distinctions in mechanisms and individual traits.

Pakistan’s ISI involvement in fomenting terror, aiding and abetting terror plots within the country especially sensitive territories like Sindh and Baluchistan as lately in Quetta with a bomb blast killing more than thirty civilians near the poll station are by no means few and far between incidents.

The violence in every part of the country with bomb blasts and terrorism wreaking havoc constantly witnessed by the world.

As for cross border terrorism with India, the terror infiltration has been the routine affair initiating Kargil war in 1999 and consequentially prompting troops deployment on either sides of the border in return making lives in Indian State of Jammu & Kashmir nearly impossible.

The terror activities across the border are experienced by other neighbors of Pakistan as well viz. Afghanistan and Iran having brought the matter to Pakistan’s army and intelligence authorities attention urging them to address the security threats to neighbors in the region.

In terms of protecting Pakistani citizens and defense personnel, the NATO air strike on Pakistan check post stationed as NATO allies in 2011 killing 24 Pakistani soldiers with no apology from the U.S. administration of then President Barack Obama or NATO command further defined the vulnerability to western inflicted catastrophe that continues unabated in Afghanistan and along the border with Pakistan.

Pakistan ISI knowledge in weapons supply to terror outfits like Lashkare e Taiba (LeT) and Jaish e Mohammad, the chief architects and operatives of terror attacks in India and similarly Taliban in Swat Valley are neither acknowledged nor denied leading to complicity in the terror outfits endeavors.

Last but not the least, the underworld criminal elements viz. Dawood Ibrahim facing extradition charges has found safe haven and settled in Pakistan’s metropolis and commercial capital Karachi frequenting to Dubai and Abu Dhabi, UAE in the Middle East and continuing the organized criminal operation in Mumbai, India from Pakistan.

In light of such track record,

Could Pakistan army and intelligence agency ISI blame the civilian governments in Pakistan solely responsible for lack of economic and social development?

The corruption investigation against political families are not disputed, however the policy targeting only some and not applied across the spectrum including the army, intelligence and others in society evading taxes, taking bribes, hoarding money overseas and money laundering makes the process selective raising credibility factor.

Meanwhile, Pakistan public hope for civil governance and elections devoid of army and ISI meddling seen in the latest polls appears to be a fantasy unless introspection amongst those contributing to impediments in Pakistan’s trail for political stability and economic growth that are desperately required reverse actions and refrain from counterproductive measures.

The corruption scandals among political class ejecting governments having become the norm, the pursuit to drain the swamp has to be impartial and consistent in the application of law on all barring preferences and exemptions based on political, economic, social or religious background.

Meanwhile, the new government ushered in with army and ISI paving the way for victory is burdened with the balancing act of accountable governance and civilian administration functioning independently away from the shadow of the forces in national and foreign domain.

Pakistan cannot afford wars with India or any other nation in the region. The escalation of tension between India and Pakistan only promotes adversarial relations that benefits none. Instead, Pakistan investing resources in purging terror and terror affiliates within the country besides intelligence sharing with India and other neighbors on any possible terror assault in their soil would improve situation and restore trust, the main aspect for normal ties with nations near and far.

Importantly, the terror masterminds and agents behind terrorism in Pakistan, India and anywhere residing in Pakistan brought to justice would indeed highlight the commitment towards the slogan Naya (New) Pakistan.

The military and intelligence renewal of contacts and cordial approach with counterparts in India would enhance understanding assuming better positions that could guarantee peace and harmony anticipated among population on both sides affected in the status quo.

The topic on Pakistan will resume with the focus on economy, social status, human rights and environment.

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant

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