Pakistan at Cross Road

Pakistan’s capital Islamabad has two five star hotels; Marriot which is non-operational since the suicide attack of 20 September and Serena which had an only five rooms occupied on October 13, 2008. Even the later may further go down with the most recent news of an American Guest found dead in his room this morning – cause of his death still un-known. The three five star hotels at Karachi which is the business capital of Pakistan are reported at an average 13 percent occupancy over the last fortnight. So much for the foreign visitors – five star hotels are primarily host foreigners and senior corporate executives.

Add to the above scenario reports that GOP is seriously considering carving out ‘the Red Zone’ in Islamabad followed by similar zones in the provincial headquarters. Islamabad is reported to have a 15 kilometres long concrete wall around ‘the Red Zone’ with several scanner equipped gates on various entry points. The ‘Red Zone’ to encompass all important buildings including the Presidency, PM House and Office, Parliament, Supreme Court of Pakistan, Pakistan Secretariat and Foreign Office, etc falling in G-5 and F-5 Sectors.

The matter does not end here. US Government officials including President Bush, Secretary of State, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff, through public statements, promise that US respects Pakistan’s sovereignty and would refrain from missile attacks; yet the drones are regularly flying not only in FATA but the settled areas of Pakistan. Every day one hears several civilian dying of the US missile attacks.

While the US, NATO Forces and Afghanistan is seriously engaging in talks with Taliban, similar efforts by Pakistan are considered inappropriate. Instead, Tribal Lashkars are being organized to fight against their own brothers – surely leading to long term animosity amongst the tribes. The ‘Iraqi pattern’ of fights amongst ‘Sunni and shias’ are apparently replicated by those forces that were responsible for such acts in Iraq.

While President Zardari (in his interview with NY Times/Fox TV) makes a statement that India was of no danger to Pakistan in the past or at present (notwithstanding that India pushed Pakistan into several wars ever since its coming into being, dismembered Pakistan in 1971, continues to refuse settlement of Kashmir issue in accordance to the desires of Kashmiri people, and more recently depriving Pakistan of its due share of Chinab river waters), India continues to maintain several consulates in the border cities of Afghanistan which are reported to sponsor the suicide attacks in Pakistan and ensure arms supplies to the militants in FATA!

US is reported to engage in training of FC personnel at the SSG headquarters through an unspecified number of its armed forces personnel specializing in counter terrorism, Pakistani officials are not wiling to offer any comments when the media seeks clarification on these activities.

The joint session of Parliament is busy in deliberating on the facts and policy issues concerning the so called ‘war on terror’ for several days; yet a clear and satisfactory policy statement is not forthcoming.

The matter does not end here. Pakistan economy has been adversely affected by the international recession and our own doings. All macro-economic indicators are in the negative; food security is not there and wheat/atta is in short supplies; industry is suffering and lying off the labour because of inadequate power supplies; population at large is disillusioned with the state of polity.

Above calls for fundamental changes in the polity of Pakistan. The whole spectrum of policies – security, socio-economic, fiscal, governance require changes through a consensus amongst the political forces with open dialogue and association of all well meaning individuals in the decision making process.

Notwithstanding above, Pakistan is rich both in human and natural resources. Given the right leadership, it can promptly bounce back to progress.

Let us contribute our views in developing an operational plan to take Pakistan out of the existing milieu.