As Pakistan slides into different crises, national and international analysts have predicted the fate of the country with different approaches and narratives. By analysing the socio-political as well as economic conditions of the country, most of the writers term it as a rogue state, a failed state or a hard resilient country. These terms have been bandied about for the last few decades around the world, especially in the national and international academia. Every analyst tries to build their own narrative with logical consistency in the premises of their conclusions.
Their lack of insight can be seen in their arguments. Over-generalisation, vagueness in predictions which are contrary to ground realities, can be found in the narratives of many critics working on Pakistan’s socio-political discourses.
Stephen Cohen in his study The Idea of Pakistan predicted that Pakistan would be crippled by the law and order situation. He came to this conclusion after examining the challenges faced by Pakistan in the partition and post-partition era. He suggested that stern precautionary measures along with major transformative reforms in social, political and economic spheres should be taken, to stop the “troubled country” from landing in a quagmire of crises.
Most researchers analyse the country’s issues on a superficial level in order to prove that the country is indeed a troubled rogue state. Such findings; not only exaggerate the overall situation of the country in the eyes of the international community; but also disturbs the plans and diminishes the administrative capacity of the state.
Many writers and analysts, endeavour to portray a crisis-ridden image of Pakistan, so that the international community does not invest in the country. Let’s deconstruct another highly exaggerated report, Whither Pakistan, which is written by a Delhi-based Institute for Defense Studies and Analysis. The report eluded to possibilities of ‘Lebanonisation,’ and the sudden collapse of Pakistan. Similarly, Bruce Riedel, an Islamabad-based former US analyst, opined that Pakistan in the future could be the victim of religious extremism and might be converted into an Islamic Emirate.
While talking about terrorism in Pakistan, writers should not ignore America’s intervention in Afghanistan to gain political supremacy. Moreover, these writers always fail to blame America for its crucial role in creating the problem
A lot of literature has been produced containing negative injunctions, without really understanding the social and political issues which Pakistan has faced since its emergence. Many writers propagate that political instability is rooted in the country’s support of militant groups.
Robert Looney, explains Pakistan’s socio-political and economic dynamics in special reference to the wave of terrorism in his work, Pakistan’s Failed Economic Take-Off. According to him, institutional rigidities and poor governance are stifling economic growth. This in turn creates an environment in which large segments of the population become weary and frustrated, turning it into a classic example of a “terrorist breeding ground”.
However, to call the country a ‘failed state’ and predict that the country will ‘implode’, will be a deviation from reality. It is beyond question that analysts prefer to ignore the role international powers play in the country’s upheaval. Also, while talking about terrorism in Pakistan, writers should not ignore America’s intervention in Afghanistan to gain political supremacy. Moreover, these writers always fail to blame America for its crucial role in creating the problem
On the other hand, certain writers have produced scholarly books and articles on the socio-political condition of the country, in a different vein. Pakistan A Hard Country, written by Anatol Lieven, is a book in which the writer briefly defines the crippling and deplorable economic, social and political conditions of the country; whilst explaining how state institutions are becoming more effective as time passes. Moreover, in Pakistan A New History, Ian Talbot also emphasizes how the situation in Pakistan is improving because of devolution of power, democratization and public awareness. Thus, these realities cannot be ignored to pursue a certain angle. Writers must examine things beyond their own emotions and personal biases, to provide substantial work which can be used for further human development.
The writer is a member of the Youth Parliament of Pakistan and a Joint Secretary for the Pakistan Institute of regional studies (PIORS). He can be reached at: [email protected]
Published in Daily Times, September 2nd 2018.