Conversations at the Cafe - Islamabad
Where is Pakistan headed?
This is how business is being run these days. Look at Shahbaz Sharif; understand how Nawaz Sharif operated in Punjab during his tenure as Chief Minister. The system in Pakistan has reached a point where accountability has collapsed. Law enforcement has become compromised, and even senior police officers act on orders that seem to lack any transparency or checks and balances.
For example, anyone affiliated with PTI, even someone with just a PTI sticker, is targeted and detained. There is no oversight. Arrests happen arbitrarily, and for a bribe, detainees are released the next day. This lawlessness is spreading, and everyone in the system is complicit. Orders come from the top, and those at the bottom blindly follow them, creating chaos. The police, who should be neutral, have been politicized to such an extent that the entire system has broken down.
Shahbaz Sharif has mastered the art of controlling this broken system, but it is neither under the army's control nor the intelligence agencies' control anymore. Shahbaz Sharif has managed to manipulate the system to suit his needs, further eroding accountability. The command-and-control structure of the police and the bureaucracy has completely disintegrated, leading to an environment where justice is a mockery.
The real danger lies in what happens next. If this system completely collapses, Pakistan risks becoming another Syria. Look at Syria—12 to 15 years of civil war. Bashar al-Assad, a dictator and a Western stooge installed by foreign powers, brought nothing but destruction to his country. If Pakistan falls into such a scenario, regional and global powers like India and the US will intervene under the pretext of securing nuclear weapons or protecting their interests. A civil war could erupt, leading to unimaginable suffering, with women and children bearing the brunt of the violence. The Taliban could exploit the chaos, turning Pakistan into a battlefield for competing powers.
Ending the army or dismantling it is not the solution. If that happens, the country will descend into chaos. The army and the system must be reformed with careful consideration and thought. However, the current leadership—Shahbaz Sharif, Nawaz Sharif, and Zardari—are only serving Western interests. For decades, they have been loyal to foreign establishments, and their governance reflects this allegiance.
On the other hand, global dynamics are shifting. Israel continues to expand its influence, and countries like Pakistan, being a Muslim-majority nation with significant resources, are vulnerable. The West is keen on controlling nations like Pakistan, ensuring they remain dependent and under their influence. The violations of human rights in Pakistan and the erosion of democratic institutions are met with silence internationally because it serves Western interests.
The Saudi and Western approaches further complicate matters. Saudi Arabia is playing its own game, leveraging its position to maintain influence, while the West is focused on ensuring Pakistan remains destabilized. This destabilization benefits them in controlling regional dynamics, particularly against countries like China and Iran.
Pakistan's bureaucracy and law enforcement have become compromised to such an extent that even if Imran Khan comes to power, he will face immense challenges. Dismissing corrupt officials and reforming institutions will be an uphill battle. Those who have entrenched themselves in the system are reluctant to let go of their power and privileges, fearing accountability.
The current situation reflects a complex and dangerous game of power, manipulation, and international interference. If Pakistan's leadership fails to act wisely, the consequences will be disastrous. The country needs structural reforms, accountability, and a leadership that prioritizes national interests over personal gains. Without this, Pakistan risks becoming a puppet state, with its sovereignty and stability under constant threat.