Abdullah Mustafvi
Good news from Afghanistan is still an unfulfilled desire for most of the Pakistanis. Taliban attacks are on the rise commonly termed as spring offensive. Each attack adds more hurdles in the path of forces striving for peace in Afghanistan. Peace process under the flag of QCG has met a serious pause. This situation is neither good for regional stability nor suitable for Pakistan. Heavy commitment of Pak Armed Forces in ‘Zarb-e-Azab’ at western border and multiple tasks at internal front including recent operation against gangsters in Southern Punjab lead us to few obvious conclusions. One, the conventional response of armed forces at eastern border is understandably compromised due to present overstretched employment. Two, inefficiency of civil institutions is causing persistent drag on armed forces. Third, prolonged continuation of this unsatisfactory output from civil government may bring unmanageable catastrophe at national canvas. Immediate damage control measures are unavoidable and political leadership is expected to rise firmly to handle the situation. Unfortunately, recent developments on internal front are not encouraging. Much talked about democracy is not in a mood to deliver the desired output. It is a tragedy for the nation. Though, responsibility largely rests with the government but the negative role of opposition has further aggravated the internal crisis. Ruling regime and opposition are the essential ingredient of democracy. Responsibility of recent crisis proportionately rests with both sides. We have heard many political statements that the nation is at war against menace of terrorism but on ground this task has been categorized exclusive for the armed forces. No concrete steps were made to enhance the capacity of civil LEAs. Outcome has surfaced in the shape of serious failure of Punjab police against ‘Chotoo Gang’. Surprisingly, spokespersons of PML(N) have also adopted negative tone while beating conspiracy theory drumbeat like PPP and MQM did at various stages of Karachi operation. Multidimensional serious challenges at internal and external front warrant a deliberate input from political leadership. High sounding statements can not substitute the actions. Pakistan is surrounded with interconnected challenges. Unfriendly Afghan government has strong bonds with our traditional rival India. Key to Afghan deadlock is held with USA which carries no accommodative approach for us rather often throws blames of her follies on Pakistan. Indian conventional and non-conventional arms are dangerously expanding to grip our neck. Iran is more competitive than friendly and her texture turns more grey with Indian sponsored development of chahbahar port and railway track up till Bamian. Extraordinary drum beating of CPEC have not yet been supplemented with solid steps. As always, security matters have been exclusively assigned to armed forces. Clarity on route controversy is still questionable. Capacity building of civil institutes is another sore aspect without which CPEC might not deliver the desired outcome to Pakistan. Federal government has miserably failed on economic front and added the largest pile of loans ever in our history. While failing on many fronts, there is a serious challenge to her credibility after ‘PANAMA LEAKS’. Opposition has no workable plan except bringing down the government at any cost. How the accountability will take place in the absence of transparent and capable state institutions? How the state will meet challenges at regional front after fall of present crawling regime? What effects will it bring upon CPEC? Opposition has no answer to these basic questions. Likewise, government neither has answers nor any will to deal with the situation in appropriate fashion. Exchange of inflammatory statements, counter allegations and protest rallies are not required rather leadership should rise to the situation with focused approach. Handling the crisis through state institutions should be preferred over emotional public gatherings. Opposition has opted to ignite public sentiments through protest rallies , unfortunately following the footprints of the opposition, now federal government has also announced to jump in the public arena for an ill intentioned duel conceived to be launched from KPK . Under existing challenging circumstances, these visionless steps of political leadership can only be termed as the disappointing acts .
