The article shows how the blunders and mistakes of the last 8 years are now coming home to roost.
**Pakistan’s ‘bleakest moment’ **
Just when Pakistanis thought they had a new democracy, ushering in a new civilian government, a new president and the end of eight years of military rule, they are faced with the bleakest moment in the country’s history.
Proverbially listed as a failing state, this precariously poised country could now be in a downward spiral towards becoming a failed state.
**Internationally isolated and condemned by the world community due to its Afghan policy, Pakistan’s tribal territories have become a free for all firing range for US troops even as the domestic threat from the Pakistani Taleban multiplies.
Pakistanis also face run away inflation of over 25%, an economy in virtual meltdown as foreign exchange reserves dwindle and industry grinds to a halt. **
**There is a lack of electricity, an unresolved judicial crisis and ultimately an uncertain political future with the army still waiting in the wings. **
When newly elected President Asif Ali Zardari travels to New York to attend the UN General Assembly he will be desperately trying to shore up Pakistan’s crumbling international reputation, discuss new policy options towards the Taleban with President George Bush and beg for fresh aid from donor countries in order to avert a default on the country’s foreign debt. Double game
It’s a tough order for a man who barely knows his way around the corridors of power.
**Much of the present crisis has to be laid at the doors of former President Pervez Musharraf, the army and the Interservices Intelligence (ISI) - who since 11 September 2001 have played a double game not only with the Americans but also with their own people.
Promising democracy, economic development, moderation and an end to training jihadi fighters who had become the army’s front line in projecting its foreign policy and fuelling the wars in Afghanistan and the insurgency in Indian-administered Kashmir, in reality the military continued to pursue the same old games.
By allowing the growth of Islamic extremism and the mushrooming of thousands of new madrassas in the country, the military considered economic and political stability an afterthought.
In his last years Mr Musharraf presided over a rotten system that was just waiting to implode. Neither the army nor the Americans were prepared to see that but the people of Pakistan certainly did - as they poured into the streets to protest this or that foible of the regime.
****Out of control
Just as the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) government took over, all the chickens came home to roost. The Afghan Taleban - which still has a safe haven in Pakistan - no longer listens to its military mentors.
The Pakistani Taleban are out of control. Once serving as the protectors and facilitators for al-Qaeda and the Afghan Taleban, the Pakistani Taleban have now developed their own political agenda - turning northern Pakistan into what they call a Sharia (Islamic law) state. **
The key to remedy the present crisis lies in how Mr Zardari and the civilian government will conduct their relations with the military and how successful they will be to bring it on board when adopting a new national security doctrine that does not depend on Islamic extremism and makes friends rather than enemies of Pakistan’s neighbours.
The civilians and the military need to develop a partnership that works, where decisions are jointly discussed and burdens shared. So far that has not happened.
Confrontation - such as when the government tried and failed to force the ISI to report to the Interior Ministry just before Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani visited Washington - will not work.
The incident showed up the government to be immature, inept and unversed in how state institutions operate.
By the same token the army cannot carry on with its military campaigns against the Pakistan Taleban, refusing to share information and intelligence with responsible civilians. Nobody in government has a clue as to what the military strategy is while many doubt there even is one.
The army’s refusal to give the public any information and the lack of transparency in what it is doing only further damages the military’s reputation and creates unnecessary conflict with parliament and the government. Moreover it fuels conspiracy theories about the army’s intentions.
**It cannot be over-emphasised: to get over this present crisis the army and the civilians will have to sit down together.
But the problem for the government is that so far in its discussions with the military it has been shown to know next to nothing about national security or foreign policy. **
It is not trusted by the army and Mr Zardari has to find the right people to fill the key positions where interaction with the military is paramount.
Gradually through a maturing working relationship, the army must learn to accept that the elected government has the right to control foreign policy, although not without consulting the military first.
Only civilian rule can deliver greater trade and cooperation with Pakistan’s neighbours rather than more confrontation.
It is the resolution of disputes like Kashmir with India and the Durand Line with Afghanistan that will give Pakistan securer borders.
It will also make the military less paranoid about India and place civilians more firmly in control. Failed statehood can still be avoided.
Ive been saying it all along. Musharraf played a double game, and wasnt sincere to anyone, neither the Americans, nor these extremists. He was a yes-men for the former, and still nurtured the latter to make sure the bheek keeps coming and the need for his kursi remains.
[quote]
**Much of the present crisis has to be laid at the doors of former President Pervez Musharraf, the army and the Interservices Intelligence (ISI) - who since 11 September 2001 have played a double game not only with the Americans but also with their own people.
Promising democracy, economic development, moderation and an end to training jihadi fighters who had become the army's front line in projecting its foreign policy and fuelling the wars in Afghanistan and the insurgency in Indian-administered Kashmir, in reality the military continued to pursue the same old games.
By allowing the growth of Islamic extremism and the mushrooming of thousands of new madrassas in the country, the military considered economic and political stability an afterthought.
In his last years Mr Musharraf presided over a rotten system that was just waiting to implode. Neither the army nor the Americans were prepared to see that but the people of Pakistan certainly did - as they poured into the streets to protest this or that foible of the regime.
***Out of control
Just as the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) government took over, all the chickens came home to roost. The Afghan Taleban - which still has a safe haven in Pakistan - no longer listens to its military mentors.
The Pakistani Taleban are out of control. Once serving as the protectors and facilitators for al-Qaeda and the Afghan Taleban, the Pakistani Taleban have now developed their own political agenda - turning northern Pakistan into what they call a Sharia (Islamic law) state. *
For Allah sake come up with some practical person who is beneficial to both the countries one sucks its own people others sucks both of us. Two faces of coin.
Isnt Ahmed Rashid always pessimistic? Do you'll think situation in Pakistan is that bad? Do you'll think it is a failed state? Will Pakistan not survive as a country in couple of years?
Stunningly stark yet not surprising.
Last week I read separate news abt some elected rep and some mullah making statements to the effect that Pakistan made a big mistake by withdrawing from the Kashmir insurgency ops. Every time such a statement is made do they not realize they are banging in another nail into the proverbial coffin of Pakistan being branded the terrorist state by the rest of the world?
Ive been saying it all along. Musharraf played a double game, and wasnt sincere to anyone, neither the Americans, nor these extremists. He was a yes-men for the former, and still nurtured the latter to make sure the bheek keeps coming and the need for his kursi remains.
The only thing we can blame Mr Musharraf for is igniting the judiciary crisis and providing the politicians to worm their way back in. These so called democrats have never held an election in their own parties and their feudal privileged minds cannot be selfless enough to actually work for anyone else. Mr Musharraf freed the media, established local bodies with fiscal teeth and developed Pakistan's infrastructure but gave the game away in his final year to the loss of all.
The only thing we can blame Mr Musharraf for is igniting the judiciary crisis and providing the politicians to worm their way back in. These so called democrats have never held an election in their own parties and their feudal privileged minds cannot be selfless enough to actually work for anyone else. Mr Musharraf freed the media, established local bodies with fiscal teeth and developed Pakistan's infrastructure but gave the game away in his final year to the loss of all.
I dont think you are very well informed my friend. Do read more about the military mollah alliance, and the role played by the intelligence agencies in nurturing these extremists, while telling the west 'omg they are out to kill us'. As for what you said in bold, please dont make me laugh. And his croonies seem to love feudals, one of them, the head of Musharrafs favourite party even nominated Zardari for presidency :)
*Pakistanis also face run away inflation of over 25%, an economy in virtual meltdown as foreign exchange reserves dwindle and industry grinds to a halt. *
daleel bhai. No need to panic. Despite the meltdown of Pakistani economy and depletion of foreign reserves during the past few months, Great Zardari will take Pakistan to the same heights of Unprecedented Economic Growth and Unprecedented Amount of Foreign Reserves as seen under the leadership of former President, Great Pervez Musharaf.
daleel bhai. No need to panic. Despite the meltdown of Pakistani economy and depletion of foreign reserves during the past few months, Great Zardari will take Pakistan to the same heights of Unprecedented Economic Growth and Unprecedented Amount of Foreign Reserves as seen under the leadership of former President, Great Pervez Musharaf.