Category: Columns

The citizens in PoJK and GB are protesting against the growing extremism and unrestricted mobility of banned outfits in the region. Restrictions on freedom of expression and publications keep the world from knowledge of the dark underbelly of these illegally occupied territories … writes Dr Sakariya Kareem

In a shocking series of events, after PoK and Gilgit-Baltistan were discriminated against in wheat supply on account of lack of funds and economic crisis, Pakistan-occupied Jammu-Kashmir (PoJK) Prime Minister Tanveer Ilyas handed over a cheque worth PKR 480 million to Turkish envoy in Islamabad. Pakistan is more interested in diplomacy over feeding its starving folks back home.

PKR 470 million was directly derived from the salaried lot from the PoJK exchequer. For two years now the ex-servicemen, pension holders, and government employees have not been getting salaries. The government has also reduced PoJK’s developmental budget. The citizens haven’t been paid their due from the proceeds of the sale of timber, minerals, and other natural resources. But to the Pakistani government, the plight of PoJK means nothing.

While making tall claims for the Kashmir cause, Pakistan is running terrorism camps on PoJK grounds raising major security concerns for its people. The citizens in PoJK and GB are protesting against the growing extremism and unrestricted mobility of banned outfits in the region. Restrictions on freedom of expression and publications keep the world from knowledge of the dark underbelly of these illegally occupied territories.

To add to their woes, the land reforms in Pakistan, unnecessary in the face of economic challenges and food storage, are a deliberate attempt to sterilize the population. Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif is illegally allocating PoJK land non-state subjects to legalize the illegal takeover of its land by goons from Punjab, Pak Army, and militant organizations. The human rights activists of the region are holding protests daily against this decision will permanently dilute the identity of the territory and make Kashmiris second-class citizens of their own land.

It is quite surprising Pakistan finds the time for such mischief at its lowest point.

The leaders are busy maintaining their vote banks without inspiring much confidence in people, and the masses are numb from starvation. After hours-long public demonstrations and reams of paper blotted with ink, the nation has come full circle back to 1998-like conditions when it faced strict clauses for the restoration of the IMF program. The international rating agency Moody’s has reduced the economic rating of Islamabad from CAA to CAA3. Finance Minister Ishaq Dar is living in oblivion believing he can complete the IMF program.

The preconditions set to support Pakistan’s economy include a permanent surcharge of Rs. 3.82 per unit on electricity prices, a hike in interest rates, written assurances on foreign financing, and so on. The increase in electricity rates alone will fetch the federal government PKR 14 billion by June. It is the common man who will have to make up for the national blunder.

The entire burden of the situation is on the lower class, especially in neglected regions like Balochistan. The Ministry of Petroleum stated that if the Pak-Iran gas pipeline project is not completed, Pakistan is likely to be fined USD 18 billion. The US has been asked to review the ban on procuring gas from Iran. But amidst all the tussle, it is the common Baloch that has to face the brunt. For them, the project has been hours of labor without getting paid and scarcity of gas.

Passing through the cities of Khuzdar and Sui, the controversial project is boiling the Baloch blood paired with the food crisis and the traumatic winter season which reduced the status of people to that of insects. The government sitting in Punjab cannot be bothered about the Baloch situation because they have more than enough supply of Sui gas to warm their swimming pools. This has caused serious uprisings in Balochistan. They have decided to block all national highways across Balochistan until their demands are accepted and the illegal load-shedding issue is resolved.

Added to this issue is the problem of the infiltration of Afghan refugees. They imitate the Baloch to be part of the larger society but under the guise of friendship, they have slowly taken over the trade markets, and are gaining a strong foothold. The Kalashnikova culture has penetrated the region and the hardline members of their society are imposing conservative and oppressive rule over the original inhabitants. The Pakistani government has given them the Baloch status than defining them as foreign Afghans. The government is unconcerned about the future of Balochistan as long as the gas and mineral supply keeps running.

Pakistan should take a long hard look at its governance in PoJK, GB, and Balochistan lest the territories decide to break up with the nation. The line of tolerance has been crossed years back. The human rights violations here will not go unnoticed.

India has taken up the leadership of the G-20 at a time when the world faces multi-dimensional challenges ranging from insufficient progress towards Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss, to economic slowdown, debt distress, uneven pandemic recovery, growing poverty and inequality, food and energy insecurity and global  supply chain disruptions, aggravated by geo-political tensions and conflicts … writes Dr Rakesh Sharma

G20 Foreign Ministers met on March 1-2 in New Delhi under India’s G20 Presidency, with the theme ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ – ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’ in which India successfully calibrated the competing interests of all the members and peddled the idea of resolving the global problems with conversation, cooperation and mutual trust. The G20 Foreign Ministers deliberated upon current global challenges and showed consensus to find solutions despite differences persisting in the Russia-Ukraine war.

Given that at the centre stage in the global discourse at present is Ukraine[1]Russia war and different positions taken by the US and its European allies vis a vis Russia and its supposed and alleged ally China, as expected there were voices against the Russian invasion of Ukraine and two opposing positions from both the sides. But eventually, other important issues were given due place keeping in view the fact that the G-20 is a platform to foster global cooperation for economic development and not a platform to discuss security issues.

Amid differences of different sides on the Russia-Ukraine war and obdurate positions taken by Russia and China, the G-20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting could not rich a joint statement as the two countries did not agree to sign it on the reference to Russian aggression against Ukraine which the other Western countries wanted. The lack of consensus on differing perceptions, claims and counterclaims on the Ukraine-Russia war of Russia and China and the Western alliance has been countenanced on almost all the global fora. However, the Russian and Chinese counterpart’s denial to sign the language of last year’s joint communiqué in Bali could only be seen as their own bid to defend their perceptions and national position rather than a setback to the G-20 Chair.

Despite an appeal from Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi to “rise above (their) differences”, a sharp exchange of words was witnessed between US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and a number of Foreign Ministers. Nevertheless, the Prime Minister of India helped in finding the space for a meaningful discussion on all other issues than the Russia-Ukraine war saying that “we should not allow issues that we cannot resolve together to come in the way of those we can.” Underlining that the meeting was taking place in the land of Gandhi and the Buddha, the Prime Minister of India urged the Excellencies to draw inspiration from India’s civilizational ethos of focusing not on what divides us but on what unites us all. Later, this was the spirit of the meeting which reverberated in deliberations on all other issues.

In fact what needs to be celebrated is the fact that amid adrenalin running so high on the Russia-Ukraine war, India as chair was able to achieve consensus on all issues of concern to the Global South, including strengthening multilateralism, food, fuel and energy security, climate change, and other issues. The issues discussed ranged from post-pandemic and post-conflict economic challenges and economic recovery to global food, energy and health security and the use and misuse of emerging technologies and the threat of terrorism as clear from the G-20 Chair’s Summary and Outcome Document issued by India on March 2 instead of a joint statement.

India has taken up the leadership of the G-20 at a time when the world faces multi-dimensional challenges ranging from insufficient progress towards Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss, to economic slowdown, debt distress, uneven pandemic recovery, growing poverty and inequality, food and energy insecurity and global supply chain disruptions, aggravated by geo-political tensions and conflicts.

The meeting assumes its importance as G20 deliberations and macro policy cooperation provides a valuable opportunity for bringing fresh perspectives and forging durable solutions to collectively respond to contemporary global challenges. The Prime Minister of India said at the outset, the world looks upon the G-20 to ease challenges of growth, development, economic resilience, financial stability, transnational crime, corruption, terrorism and food and energy security.”

The members unequivocally felt that the existing international governance architecture which has played a key role in promoting international cooperation on global issues needs to respond to dramatic changes since the Second World War due to economic growth and prosperity, decolonization, demographic dividends, technological achievements, the emergence of new economic powers and deeper international cooperation.

A major part of the discussion in the G-20 FMM was devoted to sustainable agriculture for global food security which has come under increasing threat due to current conflict and tensions as well Covid-19 pandemic-led disruption of supply chains. Eliminating hunger and malnutrition in the world was felt urgent and described as the need of the hour. The statement emphasised that food security could be achieved by promoting the availability, accessibility, affordability, sustainability, equity and transparent flow of food and agricultural products including fertilizers in all corners of the globe.

The OD also laid out a vision for global energy security. In this regard, it said that “undisrupted, sustainable, and resilient supply chains are important to ensure affordable, reliable and sustainable access to energy for all.

Strengthening sustainable supply chains as well as circular approaches and promoting inclusive investments are necessary to meet growing energy demand. It is essential to advance and improve energy security and sustainable, clean, affordable, inclusive and just energy transitions; promote universal, affordable energy access; accelerate the adoption of renewable and clean energy sources; promote smart and clean energy technologies; increase energy efficiency; enhance transnational and regional grid connectivity, and support impacted workers and communities.”

On much-expected lines, the participating members also strongly agreed on the importance of multilateral cooperation. In this regard, the G-20 statement also highlighted the importance of multilateralism and global cooperation for achieving the SDGs of the 2030 Agenda as well as inclusive economic growth. On global health, the OD on G-20 FMM underscored that the threat of future pandemics is very real, and “we must work collectively to institutionalize and operationalise the multi-sectoral actions needed for health emergencies prevention, preparedness, and response.” It highlighted the necessity of strengthening key aspects of global health architecture, with the leading and coordination role of the WHO, including our support for the process to negotiate and adopt a new pandemic instrument/accord and amendments to the International Health Regulations (2005), support for the Pandemic Fund, improving digital health, and working together with relevant international, regional and local organizations.

India is a global leader in the digital economy the G-20 meet was expected to include a statement on digitalisation and the knowledge economy. In this regard, the OD highlighted that the digital economy and green transitions are fundamentally changing the nature of work and leading to new jobs and tasks. Skilling, re-skilling and upskilling of the workforce, particularly under-represented workers, including women, youth and persons with disabilities, is essential for reaping the benefits of the knowledge economy and technological progress and for ensuring a just transition.

Other issues discussed included misuse of emerging technology and the need for strengthening international cooperation, through the exchange of best practices, sharing of information and effective mutual legal assistance to curb such misuse. The OD on G-20 FMM strongly condemned all terrorist acts against critical infrastructure, including critical energy facilities, and against other vulnerable targets and described all acts of terrorism as criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed. It also called for effective counterterrorism measures, support for the victims of terrorism and the protection of human rights.

In all India could achieve all that G-20 could do amid a challenging global environment especially when the global powers are irreconcilably divided. Although G-20 Chair did not succeed in getting a signed G-20 joint statement due to differences between Russia and China on the language of the Bali communiqué, Anthony Blinken, the US Secretary of State insisted that if the majority of the members has reaffirmed their commitment to the Bali declaration, it does not matter much if a few members decline to sign. However, India would try its diplomatic efforts to find a meeting ground and if possible find a way to convince the global powers to stop the Russia-Ukraine war as the suffering from the war is not confined to the warring and supporting countries, but the whole world, especially the Global South. But G-20 is not the appropriate platform for the same and therefore, the effort should also be made on other fora and through other mechanisms.

Past favours by Pakistani GHQ be damned – it would be in every American, European, Arabian and Asian nation’s and citizen’s interest that their generous aid helps mitigate people’s suffering and does not line some Pakistani elite’s pockets and finally end up fuelling the economic and security nuisance that Pakistan perpetuates and perhaps has even come to symbolize …. writes Dr Sakariya Kareem

“We (Pakistan) will eat grass, even go hungry, but we will get one of our own (Atom bomb) … We have no other choice!” – Zulfikar Ali Bhutto (C. 1970)

Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s once aspirational declaration has assumed a prophetic sense with Pakistan going bankrupt again and pleading the world to extricate it out of the cesspool that it has landed itself into. Fate (ardently assisted by Pakistan’s arrogance and ineptitude) is not without a sense of irony – this time, it has fallen on Zulfikar’s own grandson to tour the world with a begging bowl.

Pakistan, since its insidious creation in 1947, has consistently demonstrated paranoid and schizophrenic behaviour in both internal governance as well as international interactions. However, owing to its geographic location and political malleability, it has been able to deceitfully extricate disproportionate leverage from the global-rich. In its short history, Pakistan perhaps holds the distinction of being able to successfully fool the West in general and Americans in particular; Russians, Muslims across the world and the Gulf-countries in particular and now China into believing that their best interests would be served by funding Pakistan’s existence and regional misadventures.

About five decades of practice has made Pakistan remarkably adept at fleecing the world’s kindness and manipulating their guilt – today the West and China both continue to pamper this malevolent post middle-aged man who just doesn’t want to get out of their basement. And yes, Pakistan has a nuclear bomb – about 165 of them by last count! 

Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s stance is also emblematic of Pakistan’s priorities as a nation. Countries naturally grapple with the Guns Vs Butter dilemma whilst allocating their own hard-earned resources in their budgets. However, Pakistan appears to be faced with Guns Vs Terrorism conundrum whilst being eye-deep in debt and allocating resources begged or borrowed. The butter aspect of this dilemma has somehow become the rest of the world’s problem. Nothing exemplifies this better than the way resources have been allocated in the recent Pakistani budget. Out of the PKR 9.579 trillion outlay, Defence Affairs and Services is pegged at PKR 1,566.698 billion.   This is about 16.3% of the total budget outlay, 1.94% of GDP and 14.1% year on year increase. This, however, does not give the full picture of the actual amount being spent on the Armed Forces.

Examples of unmentioned expenditure would include, but not be limited to, PKR 395 billion which would be paid as pension to retired military personnel and would come from the civilian government’s current expenditure, military acquisitions which are funded separately, funds for the nuclear weapons programme etc. An honest declaration (and this is based on detailed study of budget documents) would show that actual expenditure for military purposes would roughly be about 47% higher than the budgetary estimate and will deplete 24% of the overall resources at the government’s disposal. Putting it another way, Pakistan’s expenditure in the current fiscal was 28% higher than previous year with 68% being spent on interest payment on loans and on defence. This translates to 20% higher expenditure on the military and 48% lesser expenditure on development as compared to the previous year.

Pakistan’s financial mismanagement and governance deficit is resulting in a preposterous situation wherein the Government is asking all elements of economy and governance to shut-down early in the day or work from home to save money and at the same time tendering out USO 257 Million worth of military procurements. This is apart from all other defence procurements, raising of new forces and international defence cooperation initiatives initiated or approved before June 2022. On one hand one has to agree that it is every sovereign nation’s prerogative to priorities its expenditures, however, on the other – This is Pakistan! – Doling out borrowed wealth to currently unmeriting and contextually irrelevant purposes.

The World bank has estimated USO 40 billion losses to Pakistan due to the recent floods impacting 33 million people. Fuel and food prices are sky-rocketing and the fundamentals of the economy inspire very little hope. Even in such desperate times, some people maybe of the view that this kind of resource allocation is, at best, political imprudence and can be tempered by mid-course corrections. In several other cases one might even agree with the premise but – This is Pakistan! – China’s serf – state, parading the OBOR flag and harmonising military technologies with China from submarines to space. It is the same state whose Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif took great pride in claiming credit for illegally transferring US Tomahawk technology to China and the State suspected of permitting examination of Black Hawk wreckage by China after the Abbottabad humiliation; the State who’s chief nuclear scientist AQ Khan is proven to have illegitimately fathered more than just one nuclear bomb and nurturing instability in the Indian and the Pacific oceans; the State whose support and subsidising of Terrorism as a tool of national policy has made it the world’s largest exporter of Terrorism and Terrorists! The global security implications of such irresponsible behaviour are a cause of serious concern and require to be addressed by the donor nations and organisations with a sense of urgency and coerciveness.

There is an urgent need to hold Pakistan accountable for what it is doing with the rest of humanity’s wealth. Pakistan has a proven track record of misappropriating resources from the needy to the greedy – the embezzlement of international relief aid during 2010 floods is still fresh in global memory. It is imperative that the enlightened West apply its wisdom to the extant case and ensure that the bail-outs that they so generously provide helps sustain the human indices of Pakistan and does not end up further militarising the region.

Past favours by Pakistani GHQ be damned – it would be in every American, European, Arabian and Asian nation’s and citizen’s interest that their generous aid helps mitigate people’s suffering and does not line some Pakistani elite’s pockets and finally end up fuelling the economic and security nuisance that Pakistan perpetuates and perhaps has even come to symbolise. As Pakistan has proven to be immune to good advice, it would be prudent for the West to internalise and apply the wisdom of Hillary Clinton’s apt words – “You can’t keep snakes in your backyard and expect them only to bite your neighbours. You know, eventually those snakes are going to turn on whoever has them in the backyard!”