The Political Agitation & Economic Depression In Pakistan

Uncertainty is one of the elements that make even probability of success or failure in anything. Pakistan is about to celebrate 68th year of independence still after years of freedom it is full with surprises & rich in uncertainty. At the time of independence, it was supposed to be welfare Islamic state, but after years of independence, if we look at the overall situation of major sectors like power, employment, security, food, education, agriculture, economy supposed to be backbone of country are suffering from severe crisis.

If we lookout for the core factor worsening the situation of almost all the sector is ‘Politics’. In terms of definition politics is the composition of activities & practices of the people of state for the acquisition of power and government affairs, but the culture of Pakistani politics tells different story. After the elections of 2013, the political tug of war between two status quo parties shattered rest of the economic stability left after the destruction of terrorism. One to one tension between Pakistan political parties comes both at national as well as provincial level, which are as follows:

1. Pakistan PTI accused another political group PML-N for alleged rigging both at federal and provincial level. 
2. The settled and unsettled matters between PPPP & MQM for Sindh’s devolution of power.
3. Political tension between ANP and MQM for the manifestation of power.

Country had situations after the announcement of protest by PTI:

• It was due to proclamation before the start of protest, the Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) closed on 666.24 down points. 
• UN Human Development Report 2014 revealed that Pakistan has 146th among meager income countries, this situation would have been more after violence.
• Last year, Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) released poverty survey, which mentioned that 58.7 million people are living their life under the menace of multidimensional poverty among which 46 % are rural and 18% are urban, certainly, after nonviable economic situation, indicators were not in good position. 

When political situation of the country got unstable after the start of protest, revival & continuity of economic policies became uncertain. Consequently, it reduced the investment and productivity in the economy. As political instability further increased after violence in protest, it grew unrest in the form of strikes and demonstrations at public level that ceased the economic growth routine of firms & markets. By the persistence of bad political situation, prices of fuel got height that also increased the prices of consumable items of daily use by decreasing the purchase power of common person. Such situation also boosted inflationary rate, unemployment, civil disobedience, national harmony and many other problems.

Suggestively, political leaders are the asset of homeland, so it makes them responsible about critical condition. When a political circumstance of the country goes worse, then economic condition gets a shape seen last eight years, along with nation that is in state of war since eleven years to combat the menace of terrorism.

After all this, elections for local government, by-elections and results on election dispute are pending from Supreme Court of Pakistan. Fluctuations in the electoral temperature also oscillates the economical condition of country, in such situations, political parties should play a responsible role to protect economy from down phases.

Incompatibility of Economical & Political Situations In Pakistan

Pakistan (a claiming welfare state) got independence from British colonial India in 1947, due to visionary leadership of Mr. Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Since its birth, the annual economic growth rate of country averaged around five percent. As far as politics is concerned, there are two scenarios i.e. internal and external, but since two decades, external factor laid deep impact over the economy, to certain extent shattered as well.

External Factors:
The bounds of external factor affecting the social, political and economic culture are as follows:

Disagreements between Pakistan & India: 
Pakistan neighbors shares his Eastern border with India, due to uneven distribution of resources of common homelands raised several conflicts and contentions among which Kashmir is the prominent one. The two nations have fought four major wars & several minors, such unrest in the geostrategic level politics has never let economy towards prosperity.

Instability of Afghanistan:
Whether it is USSR or USA, the invasion of Afghanistan massively affected nearly all classifications of motherland specially KPK province that neighbors western border with Afghanistan in various aspects. Since the American presence in Afghanistan, the political situation of Pakistan has turned 360 degrees, as it raised not only security as well as existential threat for the homeland. Although Pakistan also served as an ally of USA during invasion by providing major logistic support but Pakistan has always complained for insufficient payback for the devastation that stepped in the country.

Internal Factors:
Apart from externals, there are some internals issues that suffered Pakistan from economical unrest are as follows:

 Religious & Ethnic Disturbance:
Although religious, sectarian & ethnic turbulence somehow linked to external factors, but it is one of the disturbing factors endangering the social, cultural, civilization norms of Pakistan. Due to increase in to no. of such incidents, majority of Pakistanis believe that they are headed by some external forces, which could not tolerate prosperity of nation, specially after the several violence incidents in Baluchistan and Karachi.

Political Instability:
If we observe the history of country, the way political instability affected nothing influenced in that manner. The worst scenarios witnessed in recent years like assassination of Benazir Bhutto, long-march of Nawaz Sharif for the restoration of Judiciary, long-march of Imran Khan against unfair elections, & tug of war between PPPP and MQM in Karachi suffered economy of Pakistan in each situation. Although, political instability raises question over the performance of Supreme Court, security agencies & election procedure in Pakistan, it could be resolved by Mutual Corporation of all the stakeholders rather than depending upon one.

Summing-up, we can’t neglect any of the above factors. There also some other factors that affect the economical as well as political situation of country but the impression of above mentioned issues are grave than other issues which couldn’t be discussed due to space and time.

Pakistani Media revival

In Past the responsibility of the Pakistani media, particularly television channels was significantly central during the general elections in Pakistan February 2008.

Earlier than the general elections, there was a dictatorship rule of Gen Parvez Musharraf. He unchained the electronic media to the level he could. During his tenure many new television channels popped up. And this is what he had been praising himself of.

But luckily or unluckily, this autonomy boomerang on him. The lately aired channels held talk-shows all along with the hourly news bulletins. And the subject of the talk-shows used to be the current and established political state of affairs.

 An analysis was performed in 2007. And the outcome was astonishing. It was screening that the talk-shows were being observed with more importance than dramas or any other amusement/entertainment series. The boost in talk-shows’ audience shows towards a fashion in the Pakistani society. The new trend in Pakistani media was a new stage that puts them that they are more concerned and by the support of the nation they decided to show their power in whatever matter which is concerning.

 On commanding emergency in November 2007, Gen Musharraf told his American friends that the Pakistanis were not able sufficient to have a independent system carrying out in their country. They required a long time to study the democratic values. They were still in a learning stage.

 The end result of the general elections simply reverse the theory of the Gen. Not only the nullification was a hinder to the Gen, he had to accept a farewell guard of honor and had to quit the presidency exaltation a practical consequence.

 The problem is: why couldn't the Gen verify what he stated of his people in Nov 2007? And another query, which should be taken as an extension or the other facet of the preceding query i.e. what proved the Gen off beam, forced him to give up and how at all did it all happen?

The reason to all aforementioned queries was that our nation needed a change and through talk shows which discussed the current matters in an unbiased approach won the hearts of the nation, who were earlier deprived by watching the same tone news over and over again.

The role of media has been deliberately great which aware the nation continuously over serious matters, like the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, the General elections, the government challenges, the long marches, crisis in Pakistan and many other matters. And it’s just not through television it’s through social media too, through which the people share their views about a particular matter which was however difficult through television.

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Political Freedom in Pakistan

Political Freedom in Pakistan

Though Pakistan was formed to endorse the ethics of democracy, the history of Pakistan is endemic with Military coups in Pakistan, and for most of its account after freedom has been feint by military dictators who state themselves president. The General elections of Pakistan, 2013 were the first elections in the country where there was a legitimate relocate of authority from one civilian government to another. The elections were blemished by terrorist attacks that murdered hundreds and injured more than 500 and extensive rigging of polls, the utmost in the state's proof account.

Religious minorities were disallowed from voting for Muslim candidates after Zia-ul-Haq's Islamization and non-Muslims are limited in the posts they may compete for, with some of the higher posts being occupied to them. Even though some of these commandments were afterward annulled religious minorities still prolong to counter numerous boundaries in politics.

Though unhurried but sturdy evolution has been made towards return to democracy in the last decade, many Pakistanis and foreign analyst see the military still determinedly unshakable in politics with the government playing second swindle to the military. The government is extensively seen as having no power over the armed forces and the Inter-Services Intelligence.

Most of Pakistan's laws are worldly in temperament, some of which were inborn from the United Kingdom's colonial rule of current Pakistan before 1947. Though in practice, ruthless Sharia Law takes priority over Pakistani law. What are measured Basic human rights in Pakistan and even slight delinquency in most of the cultured world bear a death sentence in Pakistan. The constitutionof Pakistan has been altered numerous times in its short history, with Islamization being the lashing aspect. Though the government has endorsed a few actions to counteract any harm, abuses stay. Also, courts endure from lack of funds, external interference, and deep case accumulation that guide to extended tryout delays and prolonged pretrial detentions. Many spectator inside and outside Pakistan challenge that Pakistan’s legal code is mostly disturbed with felony, national defense, and domestic serenity and fewer with the defense of individual rights.

In 2010, Foreign Policy ordered Pakistan as number ten on its Failed States Index, inserting it in the "serious" group with such other futile or worsening states as Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Somalia. Pakistan constantly records near the top of the list of failed states year after year.

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Pakistan Challenges (Feudalism, Religious Variations, Energy Crisis)

Among many crisis of Pakistan, it is impossible to discuss each and every problem in one go. however here we are discussing some of the major problems that are greatest issues faced by the Government of Pakistan. 

Feudalism is one of the threat to Pakistan’s stability. it's ne'er allowed a sincere leadership to return to the scene. Theses voracious structure lords have perpetually tried to realize their covert interests within the garb of politics. In each election, the poor plenty square measure forced by the structure lords to forged votes consistent with their can. The suppression of the voice of the poor plenty has been proving harmful to our society.

Moreover, once the problems square measure left unresolved they become incurable with the passage of your time. Provincial hate is that the results of such negligence. This hate has caused the separation of Asian nation. Centre has perpetually been reluctant to provide provinces the total autonomy and right over their national resources. Sheer difference and management of the natural resources has increasing up the emotions of provincialism. With the go by of your time these feelings square measure sowing the seeds of secession.

Provincialism has any resulted in regionalism. Lack of nationalism is another serious threat to our national integrity. Nationalism could be a nice binding force however here everybody rather than thinking himself as a Pakistani considers as Sanskrit, Punjabi, Balochi, Pathan etc. Such individuality and bitterness among the plenty is weakening our country to its roots. 

Religious variations like Shiah Islam vs. Sunni square measure any adding fuel to the fireplace.non secular ideology that took its roots in Pakistan West Pakistan Asian country Asian nation} when the monotheism Revolution in Persia in 1979 is proving venomous for Pakistan. This non secular ideology took a brand new form of terrorist act when 9/11. when the incident of 9/11 bombing in Asian nation has become a norm of the day. Target killing is another menace that is saying many innocent lives daily. 

Energy crisis is any adding to the issues of Asian nation. Energy crisis isn't but a threat. it's tried a bolt from blue for our economy. Energy keeps the wheel of the economy occurring. Uninterrupted offer of electricity has become on a daily basis dream for the plenty. each sector of life has been full of the starvation of energy within the country. Industrial sector possesses a heavy blow. Closure of industries and businesses could be a grave threat to our survival. Our economy is suffering therefore seriously. within the wake of such conditions, the investors square measure reluctant to take a position in our country/investors were already reluctant to take a position in our crisis ridden country and energy crisis has prevented them any. Energy crisis is basically because of the management of water resources.

Political Development from 2007 onwards

By having a rule of almost 10 years the public of Pakistan feel rejected to see Pervaiz Musharaf and his government and after the return of Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz sharif who were exile for years and also the leaders of strongest political parties in Pakistan i.e. PPP and PML (N) the public feel a new revolution in the air of Pakistan leading more difficulties in the path of Musharaf who was facing big challenges in the name of day by day increasing terrorism. On the other hand Benazir was facing some serious threats and thus was welcomed by the blast which was then named as “Saniha Karsaz” killing numerous PPP followers fortunately Benazir survived in this attack, but when conducting an election rally in Rawalpindi she was shot in the head which proves to be fatal. Thus the nation feel devastated at the terrible loss of the great Politician. The death of Benazir thus caused the elections to be postponed for the few months so the political situations should be controlled.

Benazir's Assassination 

In 2008 nation feel emotionally attached to the PPP who was then supervised by Benazir‘s son i.e. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari who became the chairmen of PPP. Thus PPP proved to be victorious in the elections that were held on 18^thof February 2008 followed by PML (N). On the other hand PTI had already withdrawn from the elections.

Soon after PPP rule as a government the economic unbalance started too fretful. Higher rates of Petrol, Diesel, and daily basis living things put aggression in the public. The government neither solved any problem instead keep on raising prices.

After their rule which was not successful at all the country was fallen into mounts of debts and high prices of everything.

As a result of government failure Dr. Tahir-ul-Qadri held a long 

Long March

march on 14^thJan of that year in Islamabad in D chowk to derail the government of Pakistan with heavy crowds. He sets his conditions to held elections ASAP.  By setting protest for three days and having several meetings with the government authorities they compromise on following conditions:

First and most prior demand was to call for electoral reforms i.e. vetoing corrupt incumbents from taking part in the elections and to bring forward the date for the election ASAP. 

Qadri also demanded for the interim government from the input of judiciary and military to hold the charge of the country before elections, as this concept abolishes the history of Pakistan so this offer was refused by the military. Upon reaching Islamabad Qadri put a new demand for the Parliament dissolution by 15^th of Jan by making president of Pakistan “an ex president”. The protest last for 3 days which results in putting new demands day by day. Now the demand was to dissolution of provincial assemblies and disbanding of Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

The demands of Qadri were accepted in such a way that Elections to be held on 11^th of May.National Assembly would be dissolved before 16^th of March and elections to be held within 90 days following one month of scrutiny under Articles 61 and 62 under the constitution of Pakistan.

Qadri congratulated protesters on the night of 17^th Jan after meeting with the government correspondent and said “It is a day of victory for the marchers and the nation alike. [I thank] Almighty Allah who bestowed His blessings [on the protesters].”

2013 elections then appeared to be bogus by having numerous corruptions in most of the NA’s. Imran khan the chairmen of PTI held countrywide protest stating to re held the elections.

2007-2013 political development causes great disturbance in the country economic situation. Day by day protest has also caused the business of the public to be shuttered down, schools to be off and same is the case of work. Moreover due to strikes the roads were blocked which causes people to stay at home and patients to die on road. May such situations never ever come in the future Pakistan Ameen.  

Terrorism on the landmark

  Terrorism on the landmark

Day by day increasing terrorism has dig down deep roots in Pakistan. Pak Army is also taking action in areas that are affected by terrorist. Due to which IDP’s migrated in KPK and terrorist also got the chance to migrate themselves in whole country. The network of terrorists is widely spread throughout the country and due to which government of Pakistan is facing some serious threats in the name of Islam. The worldwide image of Pakistan has been destroyed by day by day suicide bombings and blast.

Pak Army on the other hand is having a mission against terrorism named as “Zarb-e-Azab” with the oath to remove the terrorism from Pak land ASAP. As Newton third law stated that “ Every action has an equal and opposite reaction” same is the case with terrorist who took the reactions like in Peshawar Army public school which happened on 16^th Dec 2014 and the incident is now marked as the most horrifying and terrifying incident in the history of Pakistan. Numerous innocent children’s were killed for the guilt that they haven't done and not even aware of it fully. A group of terrorist came in the morning and whoever came in their way was martyred brutally. The effected families are not the only one who was mourned by this but the whole nation felt it as if they were their children’s.

Although there are many attacks by terrorist in Pakistan but the Peshawar attack was above them all. No one can forget the faces of the beautiful children that were burnt in the fire of vengeance. Let us share some stories that happened that day.

Khaula was a young toddler who was just 4 years old asked her father to admit her in the school in which her elder brothers were studying; unfortunately the school name was Army Public School. The father took khaula for admission that day and when terrorist assaulted that school khaula was sitting on her father’s lap waiting to get admitted but sadly she was shot by the cruel terrorist and she died at the spot. Sadly, it was her first and last day at the school.

The teachers in the staff room were burnt alive along with the principal of the school who had a clear way to run away but they didn't because the duty they had was more important than their life’s, they tried to hide the students and when terrorist confronted that they were burnt alive.

APS had a bright class of 9^th but now there is no student left behind in that class except for one who was absent at that day.

The cradles that are now alone in sorrow will never get the satisfaction whenever they will encounter anything of their children’s in front of them, whenever his favorite dish, favorite movie, color or his or her picture will come the eyes will be soggy for what treasure they have lost.

Somewhere between political parties we've lost our Pakistan but the incident that happened united the whole nation to stand together for the national cause and to support Pak army efforts that they’re taking in operation “Zarb-e-Azab”.

After 1965…

History Of Pakistan

After the uncertain war of 1965 with India, Pakistani nation starts to blame Ayub Khan the Field Marshal at that time for divulging the cause of Kashmir. Few months later after that war, Munir Ahmed Khan, who was a nuclear engineer met Z.A Bhutto and informed him about the speedy development in the nuclear program of the Indian forces. After feeling the sign of danger, Z.A Bhutto hurriedly arranged a meeting in London with Munir Ahmed khan and Ayub khan. Munir Ahmed Khan forced to have a nuclear energy program and to develop a reliable nuclear curb aptitude. Whereas, Ayub khan totally refused this idea and said:”If we (Pakistan) ever need the atom bomb, we (Pakistan) will buy it off the shelf.”

After knowing the current scenarios, Bhutto proposed the idea of lobbying the weapons. However the economical conditions of Pakistan insisted khan to refuse the idea to enlarge the nuclear energy program notwithstanding the proposals suggested by Bhutto, Salam and Muniir Khan.

With far-reaching hard work done by Dr. Abdus Salam, khan personally permitted the KANUPP-I commercial plant, in oppositions to the wished of his own military government.

In 1966 Ayub Khan aloof Bhutto as the Foreign minister in a plot planned by Jurist and Bhutto secretary under the severe pressure of US President Lyndon Jhonson.

In 1967, People’s Party of Pakistan (PPP) a political party of Pakistan came into being which was formed by Z.A Bhutto, which then organized the movement against Anti Ayub Khan in East and West of Pakistan. Dispirited and stressed, Ayub khan handed over his hold to the Gen. Yahya Khan in 1969. Upon his appointment as a chief Martial Law Administrator of the country he bed in the military government in both East and West of Pakistan. Wherein, Yahya and his government swore to conduct general elections within 2 years.

The General elections in Pakistan were then held on 1970, making PPP as the largest political party in west of Pakistan and Awami League the largest political party in east of Pakistan. After that Yahya holds negotiations talks with Z.A Bhutto and Sheikh Mujibur Rehman, but it failed brutally.

Bhutto formed combined government with Mujibur Rehman as it was feared that East Pakistan will get separate from West Pakistan. Both leaders agreed upon the collated government having Bhutto as the president and Mujib as the premier.  The military government was totally unaware of all the political happening at that time. The pressure was high on military government by Z.A Bhutto and Mujib which forces Ayub Khan to have military action in East Pakistan. The military police busted both Bhutto and Mujib, where Bhutto was put on house arrest and Mujib was sent to the court where his case was headed by Judge Advocate Gen. Branch’s Brigadier–Gen. Rahimuddin khan.

Gen. Rahimuddin structured orders for Vice Admiral Muhammad Shariff and Lieutenant Gen. Amir Abdullah khan Niazi to hold actions in East Pakistan to curtail and free them from fight. After facing some of notable disturbances and rebellion in East of Pakistan, the arm forces fasten down through violence. The army and navy hold operations which resulted in further bitterness among the East Pakistanis.

With the assistance of India Mukti Bahini war held out between separatist supporters of Bangladesh and Pakistan. During this conflict, Jammat-e-Islami supported Pakistan and Pakistan army by grouping Al-Badar and Al-shams, which later on proved to be ineffective. Each force took actions without even consulting with higher command. Which later on resulted to surrender arms in front of Indian army. Upon which 93,000 Pakistan soldiers and officers becomes POWs. Officially the war ended on the fortnight of December 16, 1971. The war resulted in separating East Pakistan from West Pakistan, Forming East Pakistan as Bangladesh and West Pakistan to be just Pakistan.

During this terrifying disaster, the military government refused to have any political and settlement ideas despite of the calls. The coordination between the armed forces was ineffective and unsupported. The Air Force was brutally failed to protect the naval and army assets during the conflict.

Parliamentary Democracy after Independence

 

Parliamentary Democracy after Independence

After 1947 independence, the Government of Pakistan has faced serious problems in ruling both East and West Pakistan, East and West Pakistan were the two wings of Pakistan but it was hard for even Liaqut Ali khan who was the first PM of Pakistan to hold them together as Pakistan was newly established. After misleading by Government there was military coup in 1958.

The war of Kashmir that was started in 1947, M.A Jinnah and Liaqut Ali khan were busy to resolve the riots and the problems that were faced by refugees. The pioneering work was done by Liaqut Ali khan for the foreign policies of Pakistan by proposing plans towards the constitution’s formulation.

The objective resolution was the prologue to the further constitutions of Pakistan. The objective resolution was passed in 1949 and is described as “MAGNA CARTA” of the constitutional history of Pakistan. The US and Soviet Union sent invitations to Liaqut Ali, although he chose to pay benevolence visit to US first. Apparently it was observed as a denial to Moscow and has been traced to insightful unfavorable cost. He chooses to be neutral in this cold war, declaring after independence of Pakistan that it would not participate in the conflicting ideologies of the nations. Later, he tried to make a visit to Soviet Union but it didn't happen.

In the same year, M.A. Jinnah declares Urdu as the official language of Pakistan, which ignited protest in East and West Bengal, where the Bengali language was spoken mostly. Jinnah also counters problems for the Chief Commander of Pak Army, Gen. Sir Douglas Gracey who refuses to obey the orders given by M.A Jinnah. Gracey bicker that M.A Jinnah as the Governor General represents the British Crown, which he himself was an appointee and that is the reason why he didn't send throngs to the Kashmir. And it was just not Army; Jinnah also faced problems with Air vise Marshal Richard Atchereley, and with the Chief Commander of the Navy Rear Admiral James, who also refused to pay attention to any orders given by M.A Jinnah.

During Khan’s occupancy, Pak and India agreed upon resolving the Kashmir issue in a peaceful manner by the efforts of UN. In that agreement it was decided to ceasefire on 1^st Jan 1949 and the unbiased plebiscite will promulgate under the control of UN.

After the death of Jinnah in 1948, major problems arouses from the religious minorities bursting in late 1949 and early in 1950s. activist from Jamiat Ulema-e-Pakistan started to hit the minorities in West Pakistan, which was later slithered to India. After intellection of another war against India, Liaqut Ali Khan met PM of India that was Jawaharlal Nehru, who signed up on the contract named as Liaqut Nehru Pact in 1950. The pact was an endeavor to better the relations and lessen the tensions encountered by both countries and also to guard the religious minorities on both sides of the borders.

In 1952, the Bengali language movement reached on its peak in east of Pakistan, when the riots started between police and students near the Dhaka Medical college who were protesting to have a equal status with Urdu. The protesters were killed in a large amount. After that, Government decides to provide equal status to Bengali language as the state language of Pakistan in the 1956 constitution of Pakistan.