Time to put our house in order
Whether Obama remains in power or Romney replaces him, there is a bipartisan agreement in the US on terrorism, drone attacks and the future policy about Pakistan. Despite recent efforts at mending the fences, distrust is the word defining relations with Pakistan. The US would continue to launch drone attacks whether Pakistan likes it or not. There is unanimity among the contenders for presidency that the Pakistan provides safe havens to terrorists who kill American servicemen. The perception has been heightened after the lack of action against those who ordered the attack on Malala. Both candidates are appalled by the prospect of Pakistan turning into a failed state and the militants putting their hands on the nuclear arsenal. Aid to Pakistan, yes, but with clear benchmarks that have to be met. Pakistan would be helped not because Washington considers it an ally but because it is worried over the dangerous impact if the country falls apart. There is also a shared perception that despite the democratic façade, it is the army and the security agencies that continue to call the shots. Let alone the US, few in Pakistan are willing to take on its face value the assurance by the new ISI chief regarding there being no political cell in the agency for the last five years. Gen (retd) Ahmad Shuja Pasha has been accused of bolstering a particular party and trying to destabilise the government.
By turning Pakistan into a national security state those who matter have landed the country into a situation where the growth of the democratic institutions has remained stunted. Starved of funds the civilian law enforcement agencies do not posses modern equipment to control crime. When required to fight militants, they find the enemy better equipped. The needs of the security state stand in the way of a political settlement of the burning issue of Balochistan. On one hand, forced disappearances continue while on the other, there is no respite to the killing of the Hazara minority community. There is no writ of the state in tribal agencies where both local and foreign militants roam about freely and launch attacks on security forces. Karachi, the biggest city of the country has become a running sore with unending target killings and sectarian attacks.
To be seen to be a responsible state, Pakistan has to be a functioning democracy where the elected government enjoys real power. State and democratic institutions have to be strengthened. There has to be no direct or indirect support for the militants. Pakistan cannot afford to be seen to be running with the hares and hunting with the hounds.