It is obvious that Pakistan’s army has lost legitimacy because of the crimes they committed. Incompetence laid bare their claim as the defender of territorial integrity
BBC reported, "The US is so concerned about security in Pakistan that it is considering plans to enter the country to prevent extremists getting hold of nuclear material". According to Senator McCain, Pakistan's ISI has connections with the Haqqani network. In his confirmation hearing Lt. Gen. John Allen said he is aware that explosive devises used against American forces in Afghanistancome from Pakistan. Adm. McRaven thinks Pakistanis know where Mulla Omar is. So, the US-NATO has enemies in Pakistan in their cross-hair.
But the war is not the root cause of the predicament Pakistan finds itself in. Declared #12 on the list of failed nations, Pakistan is the 3rd most dangerous country for women. Out of 70 million between 5 to 19 year old Pakistanis, only 30 million go to school. On education and health care together, government spends about 1% of the GDP. Pakistan's rulers prescribed a low quality education for their public school system to keep commoners from joining the ranks of army officers and bureaucrats.
US have cut aid to Pakistan. Installment of IMF's loan was declined because the government could not raise taxes. Pakistan's economy grew by 2.4% in 2010-11, slower than Somalia's economy which grew 2.6%. Population of the cities continues to rise; so does joblessness.
Since 75% of supplies to US and NATO troops in Afghanistan will be re-routed through North of Afghanistan by the end of this year, not only the war has turned unrewarding for Pakistan’s rulers, it challenges their power and state’s existence.
Army relied heavily on proxy-warriors to influence other countries in the region and manipulated international aid through terrorism, while the generals indulged in enriching themselves. The business empire of the Military Inc. continued to grow at the expense of dwindling electricity supplies while millions of citizens fell below the poverty line. A conflict with the world-powers has shaken the brazen and brutal power structure of Pakistan.
US raid that killed bin Laden, struck heavily on the reputation of Pakistan's army. Though Ilyas Kashmiri’s demise was not publicized heavily and other important targets may be eliminated without fanfare, but the criminality and helplessness of rulers stand exposed in the eyes of the world and the suffering citizens of Pakistan. Gone with its reputation is the raison d’etre of Pakistan’s military as the dominating power and the bonding force of the state.
The demise of Pakistan’s golden goose, bin Laden, was seen by Pakistan’s legislators as a US transgression. Though Pakistani rulers and their ally politicians fail to see it, but the rest of the world has been calling Pakistan’s army, ISI and their proxy-warriors responsible for terrorism around the world.
It is obvious that Pakistan’s army has lost legitimacy because of the crimes they committed. Incompetence laid bare their claim as the defender of territorial integrity. The rulers do not have the largess of international donors to feast upon. As they continue to squeeze poor citizens brutally, Pakistan could come out of the present isolation with another act of terrorism, perhaps a nuclear explosion this time. A garage sale of nuclear bombs to Iran, Saudi Arabia or other international bidders is not beyond possibility.
Dr. Parvez Hoodbhoy concluded his article ‘Pakistan after Osama’: “Where does Pakistan go from here as a country? With bin Laden gone, the military has two remaining major strategic assets: America’s weakness in Afghanistan, and Pakistani nuclear weapons. It will surely move these chess pieces around adroitly to extract the maximum advantage. But this will not assure the peace and prosperity that Pakistanis so desperately crave. These will not give security to Pakistan, solve the country’s mounting electricity and water crises, move its citizens out of dire economic straits, give them justice and opportunity, or protect them from suicide bombers. Until the military sorts out its own internal matters, and the conviction comes about that Pakistan will deal with terrorists as terrorists should be dealt with, the country will not be at peace with itself or with the world. “
I beg to differ. I don’t think Pakistan’s military has the legitimacy, wisdom, or the luxury of time to correct their course. Their guilt has been established and international governance or the ‘Empire’ will rectify the situation. There may be some difference of opinion but US, UN, NATO, China, India and the whole world concurs that Pakistan is far more dangerous than Libya, Syria or Yemen.
Within Pakistan, the rulers boost their phantom of power as Muhajir and Pukhtun kill each other in Karachi. Pakistan’s army has persistently conducted genocide of the Baluch for decades to soften them into subjugation. Sindhis have been wary of the federation and Pukhtuns have been used as canon-fodder in Pakistan’s wars since 1947. There could be millions like me who would not shed a tear for the demise of the power that rules Pakistan. However, I wish that 180 million people are not left dangling in chaos like Somalis.
