Pakistan’s stability: Addressing Political and Economic Contradictions

For last six decades Pakistan has followed vague political and economic policy, ignored Political questions arose from political and economic contradictions which gave birth to bitter consequences. The severance of East Pakistan, an example out of many Political blunders, had political and economic roots.  Once the political question is ignored the magnitude of political problem intensifies, Military action can neither dilute nor end the problem which is political in nature on the contrary it will only further complicate the political problem.

The political parties of Pakistan have no inclusive plan to meet Social, Economic and Political problems. The political problems intensified as political parties have no institutions, responsible for development of inclusive elaborated policy addressing, pressing and long-term, imminent political and economic problems.

Vacuity of political parties and establishment has led to the point where disgruntled nation is haunted by the question of Pakistan’s viability and stability.

For politically, economically, culturally divided and diverse Pakistan, no uniform political and economic policy with strong Center’s imprint  will bring about any political and economic objectives, such policy will slim the chances of success on national arena.

Baluchistan, the largest of all provinces with a small population, has long standing political and economic questions.  A tribal society, strongly sensitive, politically and identity wise, always had fears which were never allayed by the strong central govt.

Military operations have further isolated the population and paved way for international players to instigate and facilitate insurgency.

The resentment and the idea of separation have penetrated deep as of wrong Political and Military decisions.  It is indispensable to start the dialogue with the Baluch political forces from the south to water down resentment and impair anti state sentiments.  Military operations of any nature to subvert political sentiments must be avoided.  It is necessary to keep the Pushtun population of Baluchistan away from the prevailing political notion from the South.

KKP, war torn province surrounded by the troubled Tribal Areas with majority Pushtun population, is strongly and directly affected by FATA and Afghanistan. American mission in Afghanistan, operations in FATA and swat region have serious fallout on KKP in form of terrorism, sectarian violence and crime, resulting impaired economy and spoiled social fabric.

Demoralized and confused law enforcing agencies with ever crumbling resolve are unlikely to prevent catastrophes and assaults designed by the well equipped and determined terrorist outfits.

A detailed plan is needed with strong political will to counter terrorism with any exception and for the revival of damaged provincial economy. Clear and bold political decisions can ensure much desired peace and economic progress in an anarchic province. 

Sindh, population wise second largest province of the federation, is bondage to feudal system in Interior and to neo capitalism in urban regions.  The political and economic contradictions have deepened and widened in rural and urban Sindh resulting political and economic status quo resentment, violence and crime.

  Political parties, driven by their vested interests, failed despondently on political front in addressing political and economic questions.

Economic freedom is the key to end political and economic status quo in Interior Sindh. Reformed and controlled Capitalism injected by the state through its political instrument, will pave way for political and economic progress, and will impair feudal system.

Strong and unbiased administrative measures will put check on violence and crime in urban Sindh. Political appointees in administrative Institutions and law enforcing agencies stun any progress to curtail crime and violence in urban Sindh.  Re-structuring of institutions is prerequisite for the strong administrative measures with sturdy Political Intent.

Punjab, population wise the largest province of federation with its strong imprints on Center, is ethnically divided with disgruntled North and South. The slogans of division of Punjab are getting strong and being echoed throughout Punjab.

The division of Punjab will address the resentment and facilitate development efforts in smaller manageable units. But the division on ethnic basis will make ethnic tension and biases permanent. The solution of Punjab’s problem lies in division on administrative basis rather than ethnic. This will ensure no bias and ethnic tension in the aftermath of the division.  This political move will also allay the fears and shallow resentment of Punjabi dominance by the smaller units of federation.

Pakistan, whose different regions exist in different phases of Social, Economic and Political evolution, strong center will impede economic and political designs of the state.  Full provincial autonomy with four subjects, Defense

, Communications, Currency and Foreign Affairs, delegated to the Center will facilitate Economic and social progress for diverse and politically divided Pakistan.

 The Feudal-capitalist system has given birth to iniquitous distribution of capital and parallel economic-political worlds. Resuscitation of knocked-out economy will require designed reforms in the political-economic system by keeping in view the political economic contradictions of that region.