PEOPLE of Pakistan, on the occasion of Independence Day, once again demonstrated their unflinching resolve to go to any extent to safeguard and promote the cause of the country and take it forward as per vision of its founding father Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Though festivities were, understandably, not as brisk as they used to be in the past due to Coronavirus-related apprehensions and the need for precaution but the spirit with which the day was celebrated beamed out a strong message that Pakistani nation was capable of defending geographical and ideological frontiers of the country despite a host of ominous regional and global developments.
The very fact that Pakistan is returning back to normalcy sooner as compared to other countries of the globe after witnessing worst type of Covid-19 spread is also reflective of inbuilt resilience of the people of Pakistan as has repeatedly been pointed out by the founding Editor-in-Chief of this daily during his entire life. He did not believe in lip-service and worked diligently on different fronts to promote ideological and geographical defence and sovereignty of the country – authoring of books on Pakistan’s nuclear programme giving most reliable account of genesis, rationale and evolution of the programme; establishment of Nazriya Pakistan Council (NPC)/Aiwan-e-Quaid which are still instrumental in pursuing the cause of the country; making a strong case for strengthening of Pakistan’s relations with China, Arab countries and Look-East policy; unwavering support for the just struggle of people of Kashmir and the cause of national defence and more importantly continuation of policies and political stability that are crucial to progress and development. A minute analysis of the prevailing situation makes it clear that after its successful campaign against Covid-19, prospects for rapid economic recovery are bright as has also been highlighted by key economic indicators. Some of the epoch-making policies and programmes of the PTI Government have started bearing fruit and there are expectations that after two difficult years, people would get some genuine relief. However, it seems forces inimical to progress and development of Pakistan are once again active to create roadblocks in the way of its march towards prosperity. Apart from unending propaganda and obstacles against the historic initiative of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which is making its positive impact on almost all spheres of national life, a number of challenges are also emerging on internal and external fronts. The menace of terrorism, which has its roots in a neighbouring country, is raising its ugly head again as is evident from recent bomb blasts and other acts of terrorism; Afghanistan is again making undue hue and cry over border management project of Pakistan that has the potential to take care of perennial issues of illegal border crossings and rampant smuggling; Indian atrocities and illegal actions in Occupied Kashmir are continuing; World Bank seems to be hesitant to play its role of a guarantor in the face of dare-devil stealing of Pakistan’s share of water by India and attempts are being made to create misunderstanding between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. There are other challenges as well like crude interference of IMF and multilateral institutions in internal affairs of Pakistan because of its economic vulnerabilities, growing dependence on foreign loans that come at a price, unbridled price-hike, unemployment, lack of effective write of the state, inability of citizens to get speedy and inexpensive justice when wronged, increase in corruption and lack of transparency in accountability. There are reasons to believe that people of Pakistan are motivated enough to do everything possible to take the country forward but we have miserably failed to channelize their energies. Prime Minister Imran Khan has the leadership qualities to catch the bull of challenges by horn and that is why eyes are focused on him as to what he does to steer the country out of troubled waters safely.
Challenges to Quaid’s Pakistan
