Why Pakistan is in trouble waters consistently?

Why Pakistan is in trouble waters consistently?

From last 6 months we are reading different news in international & national press regarding Pakistan. Somehow after every 3 to 4 weeks, a new issue comes and it often replaced by another one in next few days. Sometimes it originates from international scene but many times it originates from home ground. Recent one is Hamid Mir issue and we have witnessed why many local player under commercial & political interests have curiosity to make it alive at any cost. Some even tries hard to link it with ever critical and sensitive issue of civil military relations. Some wants to use it against competitor media while some wants to use it against elected government either by creating gulfs between army and media or media or civilian government or army and elected government. In playing these games, they have no interest what’s the impact it has especially in international scene and on the public at large within Pakistan. Thanks to Genral Pervaiz Musharaf , sheikh rasheed like people that we have a OUT of Regulation media. A senior official in information ministry told that at least ministry had given its summary in favor of cross media censorship thrice yet Minister Sheikh Rasheed convinced his boss that it would give him legitimacy at international front.  So those who are criticizing media only in this debate must include Musharaff and Rasheed first. The recent fight is neither in the interest of conflicting institutions nor will it attract public at large. One is hiding behind freedom of press and other is hiding behind patriotism yet both have a record of reservations against elected tier.

Just compare this fight with 1980s when media, courts, rightist religious lobby and civil military bureaucracy were one against political players. Even international power players were there to protect that unholly allience. After 25 years, scenario is much different. In good old days same conflicting parties were busy in defaming political parties one way or other. Both used the stigmas like “security risk” or “traitor” against Shaheed Benazir Bhutto without any proof. Did they ever raise such issues like freedom of the press or patriotism at that stage?  But now both parties are presenting them in totally different style. It’s better if both accepted old follies and moves toward a New social Contract as soon as possible. If both agree then elected tier can play a vital role in normalization.  There are hawks who want to raise the conflict to fulfill their petty interests yet in this particular scenario it will not only harm both conflicting institutions but also add negative popularity of the country.

It is post 9/11 world, courts are playing independently and there are fractions among religious rightist lobby and new electronic media is their without regulations. Press clubs are not strong enough; Wage Board is out of question and everyone inside the country and outside it is ready to purchase media space. Instead of making house in order, competitor media is just playing on the name of patriotism.

Election results of India and Afghanistan are on cards. The worst scenario is victory of two odds i-e Moodi & Abdulah Abdullah But if we apply political arithmetic we can convert this challenge into opportunity.  House in order is the first condition yet ability to deal with odds will help us in finding out of box solutions.

After first democratic transition in last 65 years, Pakistan has popular governments not only in federation but also in provinces. There is not any threat to any government either in center or province which is a rare development. All the three ruling parties have lot many common thoughts on vital issues including non-intervention in neighboring countries.  There is a debate on handling non state actors yet no one is ready to leave the solutions onto terrorists. Pakistan is engaging world day by day economically and if such situation continues, Pakistan can save guard its geo-political interests but if our house will not in order then we will miss a chance once again.