One of the questions that repeatedly came up during Pakistani Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani’s rather eventful trip to the U.S. last month was who was in charge of the Inter-Services Intelligence , especially after the botched attempt to bring the powerful spy agency - that critics see as a state within a state - under the interior ministry.
But at home, Pakistanis are asking an even more fundamental question: Who really is in control of their country ? A very rough poll conducted by All Things Pakistan among people who visit the blog found that nearly 40 percent thought nobody was in control of the nuclear-armed Muslim nation of 160 million and from where at least the Americans are convinced the next major militant attack is coming.
About 28 percent said Pakistan People’s Party chairman Asif Ali Zardari was in control while 18 percent saw President Pervez Musharraf still calling the shots. But nobody, not one person, thought Gilani who, by all accounts was given a rather blunt message by his American hosts about his government’s failure to fight militants and their allies within, was in charge.
For Pakistan’s transition to democracy after nine years of military rule this is hardly inspiring. “The image of a prime minister who noone thinks has any power is sad and disturbing,” ATP notes in a later post and asks whether he is on his way out. Or, it asks, is the poll a broader warning of a country sliding further into chaos?
Gilani’s government is faced with Islamist militancy across Pakistan’s northwest and an America that is breathing hard down its neck asking for action. On top of that tensions with India on the eastern borders have suddenly and inexplicably risen, which doubtless increases the pressure on an army already overstretched on the Afghan frontier
Gilani’s four-month-old coalition is fractured following the withdrawal of ministers belonging to Nawaz Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League over the issue of reinstatement of judges fired by Musharraf. On Tuesday, the two sides were meeting to break the stalemate.
Adding to the sense of crisis, is an economy at risk of meltdown with acute power shortages, and higher fuel and food prices that have hit hard the poor majority.
Time magazine called Gilani an “accidental” prime minister leading a government too weak to act on any front including the faltering campaign against militancy or even the economy. Pakistan’s respected Dawn newspaper has gone to the extent of questioning Gilani’s authority in promising Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh an investigation into allegations that the ISI helped plan the bombing of the Indian embassy in Kabul last month. How could he have done that without taking the country into his confidence, the newspaper asked.
Not surprising then, that the Daily Times reports that Gilani may quit if he is not allowed to function as a chief executive with a definite say in government.
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Pakistan as a country is suffering because its foundation is wrong. History has proved, again and again that any country whose foundation stole was laid in the name of religion always gets screwed up. Pakistan should get over Islam, and look for developing its people than just wait for alms from US or China.
As far as India goes, its’ none of Pakistanis’ business what happens in India. Again if you want to discuss India, then let’s talk facts. There are some anti establishment movements in India BUT, those are happening in just 2% of the total area. Unlike unstable countries like Pakistan and Afghanistan where around 50% to 80% of the total area is under threat. Even developed countries like USA, UK and China (I dare to call it develop country) have problems in some of their areas.
And again, as I mentioned, Pakistan should move beyound India. As now we cannot and should not draw comparisons with India. Its’ like comparing Mexico with USA. India is one of the fastest developing countries in the world. While Pakistan still lives like mendicant.
- Posted by Sameer KhanDont tell non-sense, inflationn is on an all-time high, rampant corruption has slowed down economic growth already. The Indian bureaucracy and civil service is almost in tatters, a sure recipie for disaster. HIV is on the rise, there are massive problems ahead and the road is not easy, while there is acute lack of will on the part of politicians who turn out to be one of the most corrupt in the world.
- Posted by UMPKIndias Caste Karma is being worked out through democracy. UP and Bihar have been governed or are governed by politicians associated with so called low caste people.
The insurgency in Mizoram was dealth with politically, and now Mizoram is peaceful and sends its representatives to Delhi. India like China is a country in economic and social transition. The economy will grow by 7-10% in the medium term this gives young people hope for a better life. India is an important country for the world and has a great historical mission.
Pakistan also has a caste system: muslim and non-muslim. Reformist groups such as Ahmedis and Bahais are persecuted for their reformist beliefs. Evidently, the Pakistani state is enchanted by 7th century tribal laws from the dessert. I hope they dont sink to the depths of Iran where teenage girls are hanged by mysogenist judges from cranes in public executions. Such barbarism leads to nation disintegration and contempt from the international community.
- Posted by BusharrafAlso Ben
- Posted by UMPKJust run a small search in Google and you will find the fact that Pakistan Army is contributing highest numbers of troops in peacekeeping operations around the whole world at this time. This speaks of the confidence the international community and UNO has in the Pakistan Army and its professional combat/peacekeeping capabilities.
A welll trained and combat group of the caliber of Pakistan Army will offer no easy victory to any enemy seeking misadventure. Be it the millitants, the Indians or who ever the hell.
Busharraf
- Posted by UMPKIndia is already Balkanizing. The dozen separatist movements need not to be mentioned, every one in the world know about them. Low caste Hindu dalits are oppreseed in India, the elite Hindus are what India stands for. Australian missionaries were burned alive, Golden te,mple of sikhs was ruined by Indian Army, Gujrat muslims were massacred, crimes against christians. How dare you lecture what Pakistan should do. At least we Pakistan have a dignity here, I wonder what miserable lives the masses in India belonging to Dalit caste would be living in India. India is rather doomed, Kashmir is already in flames between hindus and muslims. Indian govt is playing a cat and mouse game, steal Tom’s land and give it to Harry.
India should reform its caste systems and drop the oppression of the minorities. The plight of dalits in India, which are almost 25% of the population is an open reality.
Prediction of the disintegration of Pakistan is no threat, I beleive that Pakistan is doomed by history.
You cannot unite a country by hatred and religious bigotry. The hate does not stop with the India, you first hate and despise the Bengalis, you commit mass rape and murder. The Begalis then leave Pakistan.
You then feel superior to the Baluchis and they leave Pakistan.
I would prefer that Pakistanis reform their society and reject ideas from the 7th century, this would prevent its disintegration.
- Posted by BusharrafShantanu Chatterjee
- Posted by UMPKI am a young Pakistani and by no means ‘uneducated’. There are decent jobs and dignified living conditions here.