PAKISTAN is passing through difficult times, is the most famous, common, repeated, rhetoric, and widely used and listened sentence of our times. God knows well whether the next generation will witness a new version of it or a different version of it. Since the inception of the new land, the land of pure, its people never had seen anything in its pure form, except the difficult times. The initial stages of Pakistan after its independence, was the time of difficulties. It was widely believed that soon Pakistan would stand on its own feet and the people would enjoy the fruits of democracy. But that wasn’t something waiting for the future of Pakistan. It was a continuous struggle for power between politicians and generals.
This power struggle broke down the country into two halves. That was the days when Pakistan was passing through difficult times. But the story of hardships doesn’t end there. Over the past seventy-six years, the country has observed several military coups and failed political regimes. In this context, each departing government created new problems and every incoming government inherits novel issues. The coming government, the 16th National Assembly for which the Election Commission of Pakistan had held a general election in the country will inherit three major problems. Facing these problems will require the new government to make bold decisions. In the wake of making bold decisions, the policymakers will take the masses on board under the repeated rhetoric that Pakistan is going through difficult times. The public will once again be demanded by the politicians to stay strong as this difficult time will be over soon. Hope this comes true.
The new government-elect will face three major problems. These problems are different and hence require different solutions. First of all, the economy, dealing with the worst economic situation will be the biggest challenge for the upcoming government. On the economic front, so many things are in the wrong direction. Reviving Pakistan’s economy will not be a piece of cake for the new government. The rating agency, Fitch, has released a new assessment report which claims that Pakistan will remain dependent on the IMF (Pakistan’s last hope). Pakistan will need economic assistance in terms of aid and loans both from the IMF and friendly countries. This is because the country’s economy shrank by -0.2% in 2023. Unemployment rose from 6.2% in 2021 to 8.5% in 2023. Inflation was 30% in 2023, and even basic commodities were unaffordable, like onions and tomatoes. Fixing the economy will be a tough job for a newly elected government.
The second issue is also of severe importance. Its roots go deep down to the assassination of the first Prime Minister, Liaquat Ali Khan of Pakistan. Throughout the years every government has tried to counter the threat of terrorism and domestic violence, but unfortunately all in vain. Currently, polls have been delayed in different constituencies of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan due to terrorist activities and target killings. Not only the citizens but the politicians also feel insecure despite high-security arrangements in the wake of general elections. Terrorist activities increased manifolds compared to the previous year killing more than 1500 Pakistanis’, the toll is a fifteen-year high. The issue of missing persons stood above all. Balochs are on the streets, demonstrating against the state machinery and campaigning for the release of their brothers and sisters. Various militant organizations are gaining strong footholds in various parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
The new government must take bold decisions to eradicate terrorism. Taking strong military actions against such groups will react in the same manner by hurting common people, targeting police checkposts, kidnapping officials and disrupting the law and order situation. Political issues need political solutions instead of the use of force. The new government will work day and night to reach any political bargaining solution with these outfits. However, it seems difficult, as the country’s customs suggest that we have never mastered diplomacy.
Last but not the least, fixing relations with neighbouring countries needs head-on diplomatic solutions. We cannot live in a region surrounded by hostile nations and disputed regions from all four sides. On one hand, Pakistan borders India, with whom it has a long history of wars, border skirmishes, military standoffs, spying, and surgical strikes. On the other hand, Pakistan borders Iran, a Shia-majority Muslim country. Recently both countries bombed each other. However, the tension didn’t escalate. These tit-for-tat reactions show that there exist many loopholes. It also reflects the lack of coordination between the two brotherly states, and the existence of many issues on the foreign policy front.
Next is Afghanistan, which shares a 2,640km long border with Pakistan. The previous year witnessed a short downing of borders multiple times with Afghanistan, along with the exchange of fire at the border. The kicking out of Afghan nationals from Pakistan antagonized the Taliban Government. Not limited to these, both the neighbouring countries have several outstanding concerns that are destroying cordial relationships from the inside like the termites.
The story doesn’t end here, to the north of Pakistan is the disputed region of Kashmir. The people of both Kashmir and Pakistan are eyeing the UN to materialize its resolutions regarding Kashmir. Masses of both territories are hoping each regime will fight well their case at the UN and other international forms, but to this date unfortunately it hasn’t materialized.
In short, Islamabad has problems with almost all its immediate neighbours. For the revival of the economy and domestic security, Islamabad needs regional peace and stability in the region. The next coming into power regime will face the most challenging term of government with multiple issues waiting ahead for the new government as an excuse that Pakistan is passing through a difficult time in its history.
—The writer is a scholar of MPhil International Relations at NUML, Islamabad. Also member of the Dispute Resolution Council KP Police.
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