Pakistan has faced numerous political, economic, and security challenges since its inception. The country’s politics, military, and international relations have always been fraught with crises. But the important question is, who are Pakistan’s real enemies?
Pakistan’s main problems have arisen not from foreign conspiracies or interference by neighboring countries but from the country’s own internal foundations.
The country faces continuous economic crises, security challenges, and internal strife due to the military and politicians’ misguided policies, power struggles, and corruption. The Pakistan Army is not only a military force but is also considered the most powerful institution in the political system.
The military has always remained behind the scenes in politics since 1947 and has played a direct or indirect role in political governance. No political party or leader can come to power or stay there without the military’s intervention. Whenever a civilian government has tried to break free from military control, it has either been overthrown by a coup or expelled through various pretexts.
Similarly, the military controls Pakistan’s economy through its private companies, foundations, and direct interventions. The military’s high defense expenditures have resulted in Pakistan’s extensive budgets being allocated to the defense sector, not to developmental projects.
IMF loans are also taken due to the army’s policies, as the army does not prioritize the country’s economic management.
The emergence of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan and the war against this group by Pakistani forces are the result of the army’s wrong policies, which Pakistan blames on the Afghan caretaker government.
The intelligence agency under military control silences any critic. Pakistani politicians have always worked to extend their personal power rather than for the welfare of the people. These politicians, instead of changing the government, undermine each other, paving the way for the weakening of the democratic system.
Most Pakistani politicians are puppets of the military, and anyone who defies the military’s policies or stands against them is expelled and imprisoned. The political crises of 2018 and 2022 are clear examples of military intervention.
Pakistani politicians can not make important decisions without the military’s permission, which has led to the weakening of the civilian government.
Due to the wrong decisions of Pakistani politicians, Pakistan has strained relations with its neighbors. Poor relations with Afghanistan, Iran, and India reflect the failure of the country’s foreign policy.
Political analysts and several commentators also consider the military and the politicians under its control to be the main causes of Pakistan’s crises. This is because Pakistan’s politics, economy, and security policies are under military control, and politicians have become mere tools for safeguarding the military’s interests.
A few days ago, a Pakistani journalist, Adil Raja, raised a poll on his X page, in which over 17,000 Pakistanis blamed the military for their insecurity.
According to several experts, 93% of Pakistanis agree that the ongoing insecurity in the country is not due to Afghanistan but is actually created by the Pakistani military itself, which now blinds the public and maintains its oppressive rule.
Note: The articles, essays, and comments published in Hindukush Voice only reflect the views of the authors, and do not necessarily represent the agreement of Hindukush Voice.
