Breaking it down
Our infant democracy grew a year older, and celebrated yet another birthday. For a country like Pakistan, desperately struggling to define its political outlook, despite all odds, this is a positive sign
Well, another year passes by! So how to sum it up? Was it good for us, was it bad, or was it ugly? The answer is, luckily, that all three are the shades of gray here, and have had their fair share in painting the picture we see today as we bid 2016 farewell. One might question, why luckily? Simply because if we look at previous years we were over shadowed, majorly, by the bad and the ugly. Inclusion of the good to our book in 2016 is an encouraging aberration.
Out of the three aforementioned categories, which one should we take a look at first? The golden rule is, always start with the positive!
The good
Let us look at the half glass full first…
Our infant democracy grew a year older, and celebrated yet another birthday. For a country like Pakistan, desperately struggling to define its political outlook, despite all odds, this is a positive sign. All pillars of the government performing their role and duties within the constitutional limits is certainly a step towards maturity. Despite the frequent dharnas and the calls for lockdown, political tolerance for opposing viewpoints and co-existence made its way, and democracy prevailed.
The institutions performing their constitutional roles, parallel to the prevalence of democracy, also resulted in overwhelming institutional outcomes, and deliveries. The armed forces have made their mark in the year 2016, and the landmark successes in the ongoing war on terror are evident. The commitment of both political and military leadership to deal with the menace of terrorism with iron hands has broken the back of well-structured terror networks operating locally, and across the border. Though the evil still remains in our midst, the will and the resolve at all levels i.e. political, military, and national stands tall, and is the key to long term success in curbing this menace.
Continuing on to the law and order front, the lights, along with the life, have finally returned to the city of lights; Karachi. The economic hub of Pakistan, for a longing period remained home to political rivalries, outrageous target killings, out of control bhatta movement, and insane level of street crime, altogether which made it a jungle where only the fittest could survive. To restore peace to this major player of the country, the government, alongside the armedforces, took commendable measures which led to considerable reduction in the crime rate, and restored the once lost lights to this city. The services rendered by Sind Rangers, and the police, in this case, are remarkable.
On the economic front, furthermore, 2016 remained host to encouraging initiatives, and achievements. China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is underway, which is expected to be a game changer for Pakistan’s economy. Gwadar Port, finally, became operational, and is ready to put its due share in the economic revival. The poverty rate in Pakistan, as per the report of the World Bank, has reduced, which is a positive sign. The government remains committed to boosting the economy of the country in the long term as well.
Not to leave sports arena behind. Pakistan cricket team regained its status as number one test match ranking team in the World, as acknowledged by the ICC, and still remains in the top three. The captain, Misbah ul Haq, also has been named as the Spirit of Cricket, for this revival.
2016 also brought the 2nd Oscar award (awarded to Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy) to Pakistan.
Economic revival, although declared a priority by the government, and is supported by initiatives such as CPEC, and Gwadar Port, is endangered by the repayment of massive loans undertaken by the government
The bad
Turning the page over to next chapter; the bad. The bad would, once again, be characterised by the rancor in our relations on the international arena. Our diplomacy remained on the back foot once again, and no considerable improvements could be highlighted, especially in our relations with the key world players, except for our longing friend, China.
With the United States and neighboring India, in particular, our relations remained acerbic throughout. Our diplomacy yet again resorted to a reactive approach, rather than being proactive. The US, despite all the achievements by Pakistan, and the enormous sacrifices made by the security forces, and the general public, still looks at Pakistan as a breeding ground for extremism and terrorism.Failure on our part to normalise relations with the US could adversely affect the fulfillment of our long-term strategic goals.
India, on the other hand, even after raising hell in the IHK, retains its status as a symbol of democracy, and promoter of peace in the World. Like them or hate them, indeed their diplomacy is aggressive, and on the front foot, unlike ours, unfortunately.
It is high time for our first line on defense to wake up.
The ugly
The ugly part of the story primarily comprises the massive challenges that still haunt us, and exist till date. Although we have come a long way in addressing our concerns, whether related to security, political and democratic stability, or economy, a large chunk of problems pertaining to these still stand tall.
The dismantled terror network, in order to be kept dismantled, requires rigorous security measures. The implementation of NAP, till date, is missing, which upon being implemented properly would have added to the positive picture. Our eastern border is in a tense state ever since the uprising in occupied Kashmir valley. A war with India, at this stage, could prove to be a disaster, not only for Pakistan, but the other side as well.But for us, particularly, as we are already engaged in a war within.
Political corruption is a genie on the loose, and today, has surpassed the threat of a military dictatorial take over in derailing democracy. Putting an end to corruption, and political favoritism remain unfulfilled promises. Political de-stabilisation can have a reverse impact on the achievements made thus far.
Economic revival, although declared a priority by the government, and is supported by initiatives such as CPEC, and Gwadar Port, is endangered by the repayment of massive loans undertaken by the government, as the public debt is already on a rise. Failing to devise an efficient loan repayment strategy is a top of the line concern for the reviving economy, as per the evaluation of international institutions.
Karachi is a “not to be ignored” big challenge. A lot more needs to be done to make this city reach its optimal potential.
Taking on twenty-seventeen
With twenty-seventeen knocking on our doorstep, tremendous optimism awaits to welcome the New Year. The ugly challenges are immense, no doubt, but the resolve to elevate from good to great will certainly take us far in our endeavors.
Let us acknowledge the good around us, and embrace our weaknesses with a commitment to overcome them by helping ourselves.