A peek into the ending year shows it proved to be yet another year full of challenges, suspense and instability both on the internal front in Pakistan and at the global level. The completion of the year and the dawn of the new one also provide an opportunity to recollect performance of the PTI Government as it was first full year for the party to govern and deliver.
There is growing perception that Pakistan has dramatically changed its policies and was trying its best to establish its peace-seeking credentials but its efforts were severely resisted by an aggressive and expansionist-minded Modi Government in India. The year began with escalating tension with India following a terrorist attack on paramilitary troops in Occupied Kashmir, which was used as a pretext to test Pakistan’s nerves by implementing the policy of so-called hot-pursuit. India went a step further in carrying out air-raids inside Pakistan but endured extreme humiliation when Islamabad shot down an Indian fighter jet and captured a pilot, which helped Pakistan not just score substantive points on foreign policy front but also boosted morale of the nation. India threw further challenge to Pakistan by changing special autonomous status of Jammu & Kashmir, annexing the territory, initiating plans to change demographic composition of the Valley and unleashing a reign of terror against protesting Kashmiris. Prime Minister Imran Khan made history by delivering an epoch-making speech at the UN General Assembly session exposing Indian designs and sensitizing the world to take notice of the grave situation in occupied Kashmir. Modi Government also introduced black Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), an anti-Muslim legislation that has triggered a Pakistan-Movement style reaction, drawing international attention and condemnation of the discriminatory law. PTI Government also succeeded in cozying up relations with the United States resulting into resumption of bilateral military assistance and closer cooperation between the two countries in finding a peaceful solution to the longstanding Afghan conflict. However, foot-dragging implementation of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and backtracking from Kuala Lumpur summit will have their own implications. The year 2019 also saw further consolidation of the achievements in the war against terror as the country witnessed comparative calm and resumption of normal activities of life in formerly terror-stricken parts of Pakistan. As for the economic front, the Government took a number of bold measures in an attempt to put the economy back on track. The Government also launched several mega initiatives but they have so far failed to make an impact because of slow implementation. Though as per claims of the government leaders the economic indicators have started improving but the trickledown effect is not yet visible. In fact, the lot of the people is more agonizing than last year because of record inflation, massive devaluation, increase in prices of utilities, joblessness, increase in street crimes and absence of developmental activities down from union council to national levels. There is no hope for better days despite promises and commitments by relevant authorities as plans are ready to further jack up rates of electricity and gas and deny people benefit of lowering prices of oil in the international market. PTI came to power with the slogan of getting rid of foreign loans but added more to the national debt burden in one year than any government of the past. Repeated upheavals continued to shake the political landscape of the country and no stability is in sight as yet mainly because both the Government and the Opposition are pursuing head on collision courses. No doubt, the Government withstood the pressure emanating from an impressive but mainly peaceful Azadi March and sit-in of JUI(F) but confusion and question-marks are dotting the political horizon. The authorities also faced dilemma in the backdrop of circumstances surrounding extension in the service of the Army Chief and handing down of death sentence to former military ruler General Pervez Musharraf by a special court in high treason case. It is yet to be seen how these two issues are ultimately sorted out. There was increased pressure on the Opposition during the year as most of their leadership was sent behind-the-bars on charges of corruption with opposition claiming that the accountability process was partisan and lopsided, an impression, which has further gained currency due to some provisions of the amended accountability law. As the New Year is about to begin, one hopes the government too will make a new beginning by focusing more on resolving problems of the people than sidelining the political opposition.
