Pakistani politics are a farce. Despite its immense potential, the country is on the verge of bankruptcy. The army refuses to allow a normal political process to continue. The men in khaki have messed up the country since its creation and are running it into the ground.
Terrorist attacks have become routine in Pakistan. The victims are almost always innocent people. Merely condemnation will not solve the problem; the root causes of terrorism must be addressed. Only a representative government can do that, not an army-imposed regime.
Since his ouster from power in a US-dictated and army engineered coup, Imran Khan has attracted millions of people to his rallies. He demands transparent elections but that won’t solve Pakistan’s problems. It needs a revolution.
Pakistan’s political crisis has led to a deep economic paralysis of the country. It is being pushed into default. For personal ambition and power, people are literally destroying the country. The only solution lies in changing the entire system that is thoroughly corrupt and has not served the interests of the people since Pakistan came into existence.
Are they really serious about peace talks or simply going through the motions is a question many observers have asked about the Pakistan government and Taliban talks that remain suspended. Even when they were conducted, they were held indirectly. Can there be hope for a peaceful resolution to this decade-long crisis?
he choice of Pakistan's new army chief has the chattering classes in a tizzy. Who will get the nod: will it be Lt Gen Haroon Aslam, Lt Gen Rashad Mahmood, Lt Gen Tariq Khan or Lt Gen Raheel Sharif? In less than 10 days, people will find out but the question on everyone's mind though not uttered is whether the new chief would keep out of politics.
The article by the former Chief of Pakistan Army has provided useful insights into US thinking in the Asia-pacific region and what it portends for South and Central Asia.
