Pakistan is grappling with multiple challenges currently and perhaps the only silver lining on the horizon is the possibility of a deeper economic relationship with India. There were more questions than answers about the situation inside Pakistan.
Pakistan is grappling with multiple challenges currently and perhaps the only silver lining on the horizon is the possibility of a deeper economic relationship with India. There were more questions than answers about the situation inside Pakistan. This was overall assessment of Pakistan made during a round-table discussion between French foreign ministry officials and ORF faculty on September 13, 2012 at ORF.
Discussions centred on the following challenges facing Pakistan.
1) Stumbling Economy - Pakistan faced an acute economic crisis brought about energy shortages, growing population and internal conflicts. Participants felt that Pakistan was not in a position to deal with this crisis on its own.
2) Political and Governance Crises: The democratic process in Pakistan continues to weak and erratic. Despite the popular elections in February 2008, and the fact that a civilian government has remained in power for over four years, the Pakistan Army continues to the key driver of policies. Participants believed that the next round of elections, most probably early 2013, could only bring in another coalition. There is a slim chance of any of the major political parties gaining enough ground to stake claim on their own. Smaller parties like that of Imran Khan at best could play spoiler but are not likely to be in a position swing the electorate.
3) Security challenges: Security poses a major challenge to Pakistan. The country faces both external and internal challenges. Pakistan is today more vulnerable to extremism and terrorism than anytime in the past. Concern was expressed about prevailing extremist influence on the education. With only 1 per cent of budget allocated for education in Pakistan, most of the students were forced to enroll in madrasas. Citing a US study, one discussant pointed out that there were about 16000 madrasas in Pakistan, of which 1500 were radical. The syllabus of not only these madrasas but also other mainstream schools remained affected by extremist thoughts and ideologies.
4) Relations with India: The French participants believed that Pakistan wanted a better relationship with its immediate neighbours, India and Afghanistan, but lacked a clear vision on how to go about achieving the objective in a rational manner. Regarding relations with India, the participants felt that the recent visit of Indian Foreign Minister SM Krishna was a positive step towards a better relationship and all major political parties were keen on improving relations with India. Even the army has come around to accept that it was more beneficial to establish an economic relationship with India than keeping away. Pakistan needs India more than the other way round. The liberalising the visa regime, many felt, was one of the few positive outcomes of the bilateral dialogue.
5) Relations with US: It was generally agreed that Pakistan’s relationship with the US would never be as it was during General Musharraf’s tenure. Participants felt that though both the countries were not likely to return to being strategic partners any time soon, Pakistan would do well to find a realistic approach in dealing with the US. Opinion polls in Pakistan show a sharp rise in anti-American sentiments in Pakistan. The French delegates said the people of Pakistan made a clear distinction between the US and other western nations. Not surprisingly, Pakistan’s relationship with European Union was on a better keel; EU is a major trading partner of Pakistan. Pakistan has a good relationship with most of the European nations.
6) Relations with China: China is supportive of India-Pak dialogue and has been persuading Pakistan to disassociate from terrorist groups.
The report was prepared by Kunkhen Yeshey Dorji, Research Intern, ORF
The views expressed above belong to the author(s). ORF research and analyses now available on Telegram! Click here to access our curated content — blogs, longforms and interviews.
PREV
