History is replete with examples where Pakistan celebrated an event prematurely.
It had celebrated prematurely as its Army carried out genocide in its Eastern Wing in 1971 which followed the humiliating breakup of the country.
In 1999, it was Kargil where Pakistan prematurely claimed of having ‘captured’ Jammu and Kashmir before been thrown out ignominiously. Pakistan shamefully left behind the mortal remains of its soldiers so that the farce of Mujahideen action could be proved.
Last time around it was premature celebrations on victory of Taliban that later turned into a nightmare as Taliban became belligerent against Pakistan itself.
This time around it is the comical event of ouster of a Prime Minister that Pakistan is celebrating.
This too shall turn into a rude shock soon. There are various reasons behind it and saner voices have started to raise their concern over it. The new government does not have any magic wand to solve the numerous existing problems of Pakistan.
The Pakistani rupee lost more than 10 per cent since 04 March 22 in the wake of the ongoing political crisis itself and reached a historical low of Rs 186 versus one US dollar.
The inflation has risen dramatically from 8.4 percent in Jul 2021 to 12.7 percent in March 2022.
Pakistan’s national debt in relation to its GDP is beyond 80 percent and its public debt increased by 9.5 percent from July 2021 to January 2022.
Not to forget that manifestations of the Chinese debt trap in Sri Lanka may also replicate in Pakistan. This will further exacerbate its existing financial woes.
The FATF grey list continues due to non-compliance of terror funding related regulations hence easy loans are not possible. Pakistan thus has to accept loans on humiliating terms. Internal situation is sensitive with resurgent TTP attacking Pakistani Army with impunity.
The Balochi, Sindhis, Pashtun and people of Gilgit-Baltistan are seeking independence from the failing country. Religious intolerance is ever increasing with dastardly attacks in places of worship taking place every now and then. Women seeking equal rights have locked horns with the powerful religious lobby thereby exposing the fundamental fissure in the society.
Internationally, Pakistan has got exposed as the epicenter of terrorism and thus its passport has been declared as the fourth worst in the world. Diplomatically, Pakistan is isolated and even its old allies and supporters like OIC are distancing themselves from it.
Above all, the Pakistani Army which appears as a mute spectator is active as always in the game of thrones and will never let true democracy get established in Pakistan.
With these given circumstances, the new PM is unlikely to succeed in pulling out a rabbit out of his hat. Also, the opposition parties that have come together in a marriage of convenience to fish in troubled waters have profound ideological differences amongst themselves. How long will they tag along is a question of circumstances and it must be remembered that no PM in Pakistan has till now completed his or her tenure.
Most of these leaders are facing corruption charges in any case and expecting selfless service from them will be asking for too much. The new PM has already given his narrative by saying that “beggars can’t be choosers”.
Though the statement has got mired in controversies but an impartial analysis will prove that he was correct in saying so. So… here is Pakistan…. again at the cross roads…again in chaos.
These frequent political quagmires are manifestation of the unnatural birth of Pakistan where patriotism is hard to find. It has Generals who bring ignominy to the country and get into exile abroad or political leaders who loot the country and settle overseas. Everyone is for himself in Pakistan because this country was carved out on a map based on a flawed concept of two-nation theory to satisfy personal ambitions of a short sighted leader. Today in Pakistan, diametrically opposite political parties have cobbled an alliance to gain advantage at the time of crises for self interest.
Exactly same had happened before partition of India when people with different ideologies had come together to support the flawed idea of Pakistan due to personal political ambitions.
This is the time when political parties in Pakistan should have come together to get the country out of bankruptcy and international isolation. On the contrary, the conniving politicians have created another chaos which will further push the country into turmoil.
Personal ambitions are once again becoming supreme and the country is rolling downhill with no hope.
Qaid-E-Azam’s huge portrait was a mute spectator during the comedy session in Pakistan’s parliament over last few days. Now the new PM will roam around the world with the begging bowl. Beggars can’t be choosers.