Dr Muhammad Khan
THE ongoing political polarization in Pakistan is negatively impacting the country on two significant aspects; creating chaos at domestic level and augmenting the state’s vulnerability for external forces. History proves that states with strong domestic order, social cohesion, political stability, national harmony and a perceptive leadership are less susceptible for foreign invasions and aggressive acts of external forces. Iran is a classic example which could not be subdued despite imposition of sanctions for over a decade. The rival international and regional powers tried their best to create an internal divide in Iran using their covert and overt means but failed badly. Besides, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei are model states which re-emerged as successful states in a new international scenario after World War-II. On the other hand, countries with domestic chaos and political disorder easily became prey to external aggression. Some of the recent examples are: Libya, Iraq, Syria and Yemen. These Middle Eastern Muslim states once had admirable living standards and harmonized domestic order. Besides, these states used to provide job opportunities for the rest of the world, owing to their enormous natural resources and fabulous economic management. The domestic unrest, political rivalries, bad governance and lack of statesmanship among the top national leadership exposed these states for exploitation by external powers. Resultantly, external forces found the ground for penetration into their domestic system, created further chaos and then destroyed them by using hard military power.
Such a happening can take place anywhere with any country since the international system is based on power politics where states tend to weaken other states for the expansion of their power. The State of Pakistan itself became a victim of external aggression in 1971, mainly because of political polarization, self-seeking political leadership, bad governance, festering social cohesion and self-centred leadership at the helm of affairs. That domestic chaos was fully exploited by India to the disadvantage of Pakistan where some very closely allied states didn’t come to rescue Pakistan against Indian aggression. Today, once again India and some of its regional and international allies are all out to create domestic chaos and political unrest in Pakistan. The EU Disinfo Lab has disclosed these broader Indian planning to defame Pakistan and its institutions of national security. This is a dangerous situation, facing Pakistan. At this critical juncture of its history, Pakistan cannot afford a political volatility, domestic unrest and fragmented national image. Unfortunately, this all is happening after this resilient nation successfully defeated the globally imposed terrorism against the state and society of Pakistan. It was a valiant act of heroism undertaken by Pakistani military where the nation stood behind it wholeheartedly.
The evolving political instability, social unrest and resurgence of terrorist attacks like the killing of Hazaras and sporadic attacks elsewhere in the country would provide the rival forces an opportunity to fuel the situation to the disadvantage of Pakistani State and for their own advantage in subsequent phases. Therefore, in order to defuse this undesired political development, there is a dire need for the initiation of Grand National Dialogue. Initiation of such a dialogue has become more essential in a situation where some Pakistani communities have developed sympathies for other states more than they demonstrate for Pakistan. Indeed, covertly some of the groups in Pakistan are more inclined to pursue the interests of brother Muslim states whose state’s policies run counter to national interests of Pakistan. The selfish acts of these groups and communities are creating fault lines in Pakistani society. The political polarization in Pakistan without any nationalistic agenda may enlarge the fault-lines and existing gulf.
The proposed agenda for the Grand National Dialogue should be revolving around; creating a sense of tolerance for each other, promoting sustainable peace, bringing political stability and instituting an all-inclusive Pakistani society while blocking the routes for any external exploitation. An agreeable outcome of these dialogues will bring five tangible national objectives: an all-inclusive national security, calming of egocentric political polarization, defying the external agendas, bridging the existing fault lines and revival of national economy. Attainment of these broad objectives as a result of Grand National Dialogue will lead the nation to national consensus. The national consensus will be the starting for bringing reforms in all those areas which somehow triggered crevice in the political and governance system of the state in the past. The Grand National Dialogue has to be institutionalized for free-debating and bringing consensus settlement of all national and provincial issues before their ratification by Parliament of Pakistan. Although Parliament of Pakistan is the constitutional forum for debating, resolution and formulating regulation of all national issues, this dialogue forum can later be given constitutional coverage as a think-tank to assist in the functioning of Parliament. There should be representation of all stakeholders in the Grand National Dialogues. The primary focus of the dialogue should be promoting broader Pakistani nationalism and social cohesion by providing enabling socio-economic opportunities for every citizen of Pakistan without any discrimination; a win-win situation.
— The writer is Professor of Politics and IR at International Islamic University, Islamabad.
