Everyone in India has an opinion on Pakistan and its status. We are all experts on Pakistan. However, we need to see Pakistan from a Pakistani point of view. Look at it from any side – army, politics, economics or judicial – everyone is against the other -Pakistan vs Pakistan - at its very prime time best. Each actor is trying to consolidate his position. While all this is going on, Pakistan is getting hit in Waziristan on a daily basis. Simultaneously, they are worried about the QUAD also.
I hope that readers have noticed one thing recently…the great geostrategic location theory about Pakistan is all a hoax…no one has bothered about in the recent past despite that fact the global upheavals are taking place. Pakistan has been allowed to stew in its own juices. For the record-Pakistan’s juices are running dry.
Headline
The Imminent Economic Crisis: Underlying Causes And Triggers @ https://www.thefridaytimes.com/2022/04/15/the-imminent-economic-crisis-underlying-causes-and-triggers/
Excerpts
…when Imran Khan assumed charge of Pakistan in August 2018, when the country’s external debt was reeling at $93 billion – an increase of over 50% from 2013 (when PML-N came to power). The economic policies pursued by the PML-N government had left Pakistan in a balance of payment (BoP) crisis, a record high debt, and a currency which at the time was at one of its highest levels of devaluation. The economic scenario posed increased risks to Pakistan’s medium-term capacity to repay – all but signaling towards an impending crisis.
Three and a half years later, the country finds itself amidst the same crisis, only, it happens to be much amplified. Pakistan’s external debt has grown to almost $130 billion (approximately 45% of the overall GDP); and trade deficit has increased to $35.4 billion (i.e., 170% of what it was, same time, last year). The country barely has enough reserves ($11 billion) to cover two months of an ever-increasing import bill – implying the lack of financial capacity to pay for essential imports (with wheat being one of them based on recent import patterns). This is likely to spur a rapid decline in the value of Pakistan’s currency and can possibly push the country into (hyper)inflation; unless the government is able to leverage additional sources of financing….
…Now as PTI relinquishes its control, and PML-N takes over the country finds itself in an even deeper crisis, heading into one of the two directions. Worst case: the country defaults on external obligation, experiences economic meltdown undergoing acute shortage of food, power, medical supplies, and threatening social unrest (similar to the likes of Lebanon and Sri Lanka). Best case: higher level of inflation, coupled with increase in poverty due to the loss in value of currency and purchasing power.
My Comments
Who is going to bail out Pakistan and why? That is the more important point as far as India ia concerned.
Headline
Time For Politicians To Stop Calling Each Other ‘Traitor’ @ https://www.thefridaytimes.com/2022/04/15/time-for-politicians-to-stop-calling-each-other-traitor/
Excerpts
Maj Gen Babar Iftikhar said the security apparatus does not agree with Khan’s claims of a threat to the national security from a foreign power. He added that the National Security Committee did not discuss a ‘foreign conspiracy’ aimed at regime change in Pakistan. He refuted Khan’s assertion that nuclear assets are unsafe under the Sharif government – “No, our nuclear assets are safe”. He also negated Khan’s claim that the military leaders had approached him and offered to help find a solution to the political deadlock – “It is unfortunate that our political leadership was not ready to talk”.
The explanations presented at the press conference by the DG ISPR show that state has decided to demonise the ousted PM. This apprehension is not without basis: Almost as a regular pattern, governments are sacked through unfair means, and its leaders are accused of corruption, treason and immorality — to demonise them. Nawaz Sharif, Benazir Bhutto, Asif Ali Zardari and others have been targets of such evil campaigns.
My Comments
In Pakistan as elsewhere, the terms traitor and patriot are interchangeable. However, the frequency of interchange is very fast in Pakistan. Foreign conspiracy is however a new word specially where India is not involved. In my way of thinking, since Pakistan gained Independence, there has been no conspiracy, it has always been foreign consultation. New era..new terms…new Pakistan?
Headline
PTI’s Anti-Army Tirade Has Nothing To Do With Civilian Supremacy @https://www.thefridaytimes.com/2022/04/15/ptis-anti-army-tirade-has-nothing-to-do-with-civilian-supremacy/
Excerpts
Using populist slogans against ‘Western slavery’ to fuel its supporters’ sentiments, the PTI has been taking to the streets against the new government….At the party’s Peshawar jalsa Wednesday evening, the former prime minister doubled down on treason allegations against politicians behind the no-trust motion against him. Anti-army slogans were chanted at the Peshawar rally. Earlier, photos of placards blasting the army chief at the party’s rallies last Sunday had also gone viral on social media. The military’s unequivocal response was therefore inevitable….PTI’s spin-masters are desperately twisting General Iftikhar’s statement to cover up the sheer embarrassment the military spokesperson has caused them, but the narrative that Imran Khan had planned to peddle as a means to mobilise his support base and give a tough time to the new government has come crashing down.
My Comment
This is a first in Pakistan…Army vs Politicians…ominous…interesting to see where it goes.
Headline
https://www.dawn.com/news/1685260/imrans-choice
Excerpts
The ousted prime minister is firmly in ‘container mode’. The Wednesday jalsa in Peshawar will have given further validation to his plans to mobilise the electorate to push for early elections. Greeted there by a large, enthusiastic crowd, he delivered an aggressive speech targeting the new government and confronting the state, which has set the tone for how his campaign will proceed….It has been commented earlier that Mr Khan has deployed a highly potent — and dangerous — narrative to carve a path for his return to power. This narrative has painted every individual, party or institution that goes against Mr Khan as unknowingly complicit in an international conspiracy at best, or an outright traitor at worst. It has sparked strong criticism of the military and judiciary — both of which featured prominently in the events leading to his ouster — not to mention an outpouring of vitriol and contempt for the new government. It is in this context that Mr Khan’s reaction to the DG ISPR’s statement will be closely watched. Though the military spokesman did say there were “no problems” with the PTI as such, he also publicly debunked many important talking points from the former prime minister’s narrative. Mr Khan’s more ardent supporters, many of whom seem to be quite averse to the military’s position in the vote of no-confidence episode, are not likely to take kindly to the DG ISPR’s public rebuke. The mix of emotions and nationalist righteousness has led to a combustible situation….pressure can either be built over time, or by intensifying his rhetoric. Option A will not be easy: emotions may be running high right now, but will Mr Khan be able to keep his supporters engaged for months if needed? Or will he go for Option B and push the public and the state towards confrontation, the opportunity for which has been presented to him on a silver platter? Given the worrisome lengths Mr Khan has displayed himself capable of going to, in order to hold on to power, the prospects are disquieting.
My Comments
Irrespective of what others think, Imran Khan is quite clear…he is in election mode while the opposition in trying to be in power! The game in Pakistan is being played on two different pitches…
Headline
@ https://www.dawn.com/news/1685254/wanted-a-leader
Excerpts
THE curtain fell rather unceremoniously on Imran Khan’s tenure in a swift and dramatic turn of events. While much has been said elsewhere about the happenings of that night leading to the fateful vote of no-confidence, what particularly struck out was the celebratory call for the ‘Purana Pakistan’ following the ouster of the government….While many do not want the ‘Naya Pakistan’ that made life unbearable owing to back-breaking inflation, most do not want a return to ‘Purana Pakistan’ either, which did not care for the common man...Semantics aside, until a Pakistan that is reflective of the aspirations and needs of the people is brought forth by those in power, Pakistanis will continue to fight for better governance that promises representation, and will continue to look for a sincere leadership.
My Comment
Pakistan seeks a sincere leader…well they have had sincere leaders… whether it is in Purana, Naya or Plain Pakistan, they have had very sincere leaders… remember…Ayub Khan, Yahya Kahan, Zia-Ul Haq, PervezMusharraf…between them they lost half of Pakistan territorially and all wars very sincerely…Imran khan is on his way to single handedly destroy Pakistan very sincerely…we wish him all the best…
Headline
@ https://www.dawn.com/news/1685253/end-of-a-fairytale
Excerpts
NOWADAYS one can notice three prominent streams of political opinion among the people of Pakistan; one, the diehard blind followers of the ousted prime minister, two, active supporters of the opposition alliance, and, three, an objective realisation that the vehement support to Imran Khan over the years had led to shattered dreams…The sad ending of the fairy tale is most relevant to the third category. This category generally includes dreamers, who believed they had got a leader who would help them realise their dream; the dream of a society based on truth, justice, equality, freedom and welfare that would be governed by true representatives of people….The first of the three categories enumerated above comprises emotionally-charged individuals behaving in a very peculiar and astonishingly uniform fashion based on an indoctrination of vilification, a sense of self-righteousness, hostility, superiority and fanaticism. The very potent tools of ‘religion’ and ‘national security’ have been extensively used in carrying out the indoctrination. Many of these people can sustain the situation as the tendency to get emotionally charged, and of course the release of certain hormones in the body, can keep them going. Their fairy tale can continue for a while longer.
My Comment
Religion and radicalism has been an exportable tool used against India and the world. Now it is biting Pakistan internally… it will bite all three prominent streams of political opinion…for a long time to come
Headline
Quad: Force of peace, or destabilizer for South Asia?
@ https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2022/04/16/quad-force-of-peace-or-destabilizer-for-south-asia/
Excerpts
One cannot deny that being a member of the Quad, India has the substantial potential to influence regional security and stability. On the other hand, Pakistan’s interest in the Indian Ocean due to its strategic location cannot be ignored. Pakistan has a role to play in the geopolitical shift of this region. Therefore, it is important to see whether the Quad’s role is as a force for retaining peace in the region or is working as a destabilizer for South Asia.
My Comment
They are worried about QUAD. However they have to worry more of the internal Quad which is the bigger danger and which formulates that Pakistan = E +P1+P2+P3…
Headline
Imran Khan’s concept of democracy @ https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2022/04/16/imran-khans-concept-of-democracy/
Excerpt
My way or the highway…
My Comment
The container Khan is already on the highway…all the best…
Headlines
Army officer, soldier martyred in South Waziristan ambush
Soldier matryred in North Waziristan
7 soldiers martyred in North Waziristan attack
My Comment
These incidents happened on 13, 14, and 15 Apr…The merry go round continues.
If you have been wondering what the prisoner van photo is all about...well it did what few other things could do...it brought about a peaceful regime change in Pakistan...just imagine how simple things can be...it seems that someone got the inspiration from the BULLDOZER!.....pun aside, the day the prisoner van can stand outside GHQ, Rawalpindi....on that day Pakistan will be a normal nation...Till the next time...happy bulldozing...
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