In Pakistan the contrast between rulers and ruled is so stark that there is nothing to protect the weak majority from the powerful and rich minority. Progress, to be meaningful, has to be in the interests of the collective as a whole. This has never happened in Pakistan.
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The fault is neither in the stars nor in the people, whose forbearance and patience have been exemplary. They have tried everything in terms of political parties and military regimes and have obtained nothing. Despite this fact, there is no gadarene rush to join even the moderate Islamist parties, leave alone armed jihadi groups. Till now a large majority of Pakistanis have resisted this course, despite the inducements on offer in the next world. Contrary to global media images, ordinary Pakistanis are not attracted to religious extremists.
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There have been three constants in Pakistan’s political life: the United States, the Pakistani army and a corrupt, uncaring elite, currently symbolised by President Asif Ali Zardari, known throughout the world as someone whose interest in making money and accumulating property transcends all else.
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The US is currently waging war in Afghanistan that has leaked into Pakistan and destabilized the country even further. Add to this the US drone attacks, agreed to by the country’s rulers, that supposedly target ‘terrorists’ but end up killing innocents. Civilian casualties, if one takes the lowest figures, are now just under 2,000, mainly women and children.
The Pakistani army and other security forces are showing signs of strain at having to carry out attacks on their own people in the border villages in the northern provinces. The army forcibly removed 250,000 people from the Orakzai district on the Afghan border and put them in refugee camps. Many swore revenge and militant groups have targeted the ISI and other military centers.
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The economy is in a mess and the conditionality of IMF loans bears little relationship to what citizens need. To insist on indirect sales taxes in a country where the rich pay virtually no tax at all has to be grotesque by any standard. To force the Pakistani government to raise electricity tariffs led to riots in many cities with WAPDA offices being burnt to the ground. Pay more, get less is the IMF-inspired message.
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The powerlessness of individuals faced with the apparatus of powers big and small has only been enhanced by what is happening now. Sooner or later, the people will rise and sweep the rubbish aside. Don’t ask me when.
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More here.