A country that traces its genesis from the bloodbath of communal fragmentation and has continuously witnessed transition between self-styled exclusionary democracy and harsh military dictatorship in to and fro manner, is setting a new normal in the multilateral world by trying to fix the iffy situation in Afghanistan, or at least flaunt the world their capability to statecraft another state, if not there own.
Pakistan is acting as an unofficial mediator of Afghanistan with other countries, brokering backchannel legitimacy deals in the purview of possible threat emanating from a wrecked country that may become terror lobby, if not given what it asks for.
The tendency of Pakistan to capitalize from terrorism and its spillover is not new. United States, United Kingdom and other powerful nations almost fell for it multiple times. In fact United States gave Pakistan the status of MNNA (Major Non-NATO Ally) after the 9/11 attacks. But the strategic convergence between the two nations could not hold for very long as Pakistan continued to garner and provide support for terrorism, mocking over the imbecile acts the United States committed to keep Pakistan relevant, like wilfully ignoring Pakistan’s nuclear project to keep India’s growing influence at check.
China has almost trapped Pakistan in the debt trap under the guise of camaraderie. Investing in Pakistan was never on China’s card , they threw the bait of financial aids, and typical Pakistan, like always, fell for it with all allegiance. From the expansion of Belt Road Initiative in the form of China Pakistan Economic Corridor to the up-gradation of Pakistani fighter jets, construction of Ports, and selling Naval ships, China has almost clogged Pakistan financially.
The economic condition of Pakistan is already in a precarious state where exports have plunged, external financial debt has almost reached an all-time high, prices of commodities have skyrocketed, more loans and bailouts are being pledged. Recently a report stated that Pakistan is on the list of the top 10 nations with the largest foreign debts. But, the country is nowhere near the correction mark. Ironically, Pakistan Tehreek -e-Insaf government recently exempted all political parties from the legal obligation of submitting the record of annual income and wealth data.
Political and social instability in Pakistan is at its peak where designated terrorist groups and banned outfits are now deciding the functional role of state and foreign relations with other countries.
PTI, the ruling party, was recently forced to kneel down and accept the demands of Tehreek–e–Labbaik after a long stint of rampant violence spanning across the streets and cities. The banned outfit wants Pakistan to expel the French ambassador and cut diplomatic ties with France over the blasphemy incident, not realizing that France is now being considered as a leader of the European Union and may cost Pakistan its GSP + status in the European market which may lead to severe financial loss to Pakistan over its export of goods in European countries.
At the same time, Pakistan had to ask Afghanistan Taliban to bring Tehreek E Taliban Pakistan, which shares the same geographical and tribal identity, to the negotiating table in the wake of sporadic terror attacks on the Pakistani army and Police forces in Waziristan and surrounding provinces.
Compromising with terrorist groups and fulfilling their demands proves the state of vulnerability Pakistan has succumbed to.
Continuous attacks on Hindu , Shia and Hazara minority and torture inflicted upon Balochs and natives of Pakistan occupied Kashmir(POK) , forced abduction of critics , killing spree over the blasphemy allegations are some of the things Pakistan offers while claiming itself as a state guaranteeing freedom and democracy under the flag of Islamic Republic .
The legitimacy of Pakistan’s idea of democracy can be speculated from the fact that its leaders and members of parliament mock the opposition party’s Hindu candidate and provoke mob to desecrate temples.
Humor breaks its silos when Maulvis and political pundits advise the government to sell off strays to China and fill the coffers & the sitting minister calls victory of the cricket team as the victory of Islam (as if only Pakistan represents Islam, nevertheless Pakistan is all that fundamentalism in Islam stands for).
Pakistan is the perfect example of a country where the virtue of democracy on pen & paper is highlighted to stay relevant in the world. Even after 75 years of frail attempts by Pakistan to persuade the world about its credibility and conviction to manage the state and its affairs, it has failed to prove its credentials . Today , all the major countries view Pakistan as a rogue state that has gone astray.
