MYTH: PAKISTAN’S LONG JOURNEY TO SUSTAINABLE GROWTH REQUIRES FREE & FAIR ELECTIONS to RE-ELECT OLD BANDITS /UNCOUTH or GENIUS YOUTHS?

Worthy audience in the wake of challenges that have been compounded by political instability in Pakistan, tough resistance from anti-state tribal sympathizers of TTP /TGP etc, etc & Daish (also known as ISIL, Islamic State, or ISIS)?as well as major geopolitical events & intensification of terrorists activities against military ,paramilitary & police ?posts, after US withdrawal from Afghanistan & Nawaz Sharif scot free bailing out, Russia’s Ukraine final phase of the battle (as a result of blunders of Zelenski), and the BB Netanyahu’s tragic atrocities & error of ?judgement ) Critical stage of Israel-Hamas Conflict, grave crisis in Afghanistan over deportation of illegal Afghans from Pakistan, our own internal unrest & failure of Indian democratic stance /diplomacy as well as Iran's strong support for Hamas; there is an strong perception which must be termed as terrible /alarming apprehensions/queries as follows:-

• Should we stop unfair /prejudiced elections on 8 Feb 2024 if all is set for opening the way for Nawaz Sharif allegedly & assumingly facilitated through Bureaucracy, Judiciary, NAB, FIA, Anti Terrorists Courts, ECP & apparently having no objection from establishment side too.
• Who will be responsible for the political cataclysm it would ensue if elections are sabotaged /highjacked or the result is expectedly highly counterproductive ?or disastrous for democracy, believingly when Pakistan decides to rub the nose of Afghanistan who is harboring facilitators / providing launching pad for the terrorism in Pakistan.
• How despite the internal /political instability,biased justice?& geostrategic imbalance of power seemingly in favor of Russia, China, Arab League ?& OPEC or unfavorable for Israel, USA & India is it the most suitable option or a good to go signal for risking destiny of people of Pakistan?
• Who would ensure that the political chameleons of all kinds would remain silent in case both next PM /President are another evil /risk (like the past) for involving military establishment for the ensuing chaos till today ?
• As per the optics & popular sentiments how Supreme Court Chief Justice Faiz Esa would be asked & requested not to crackle the decorum of Supreme Court by insulting a young lady lawyer & bullying Niazi or PTI sympathizers specially when the date of Election is verbalized like Gospel Truth??Faiz Esa must not forget that he broke all tradition & sidelined code on conduct & brought his wife on stage while taking oath of his duty, just to insult President of Pakistan being from PTI, against all SOPs of the State level Ceremonies ,on the other hand he yesterday uttered highly rebuking remarks for Mushal Yousufzai ( conduct unbecoming of a CJSC Pakistan) In fact he should apologise or resign?

• Who would start paving way for obtaining better public outlook than spreading the rumors as if …On his visit to USA? the COAS was asked to take violent measures ?( less than an declaring war ) to suppress ?Afghanistan based Terrorists , DAISH elements & other ISIS network based in Kabul …(we think it is absolutely rubbish & unfounded myth)
• Why giving super & clear VIP status to NAWAZ FAMILY & PMLN cronies despite his molested past & betrayal with Pak Army in Musharraf case of directing pilot through former PM Khakan Abbasi to get Musharraf plane turned towards India?

1. ?Worthy audience growing political and economic instability over the past two years.?Inflation has continued to hover around more than 32 % whereas economic growth has sparkled but still hazy, and the country remains reliant on support from the International Monetary Fund and from bilateral partners such as China and Saudi Arabia to keep its economy afloat.?Imran Khan, the country’s most debated politician, remains in jail while his most notorious political rival, Nawaz Sharif, has?returned?to Pakistan after spending years outside the country. Election pended ahead, security situation pretty grim , inflation still uncontrolled, immensely escalating poverty & unemployment ,trade & business wheel almost stuck , folks under such environments Gen Asim? Munir's trip to Washington comes at a time when tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have grown following repeated militant attacks on Pakistani security forces in border areas with Afghanistan. Folks we most definitely have some ray of hope that Pakistan and the US “intend to increase interactions” for "mutually beneficial" engagements, an official statement said Friday. The statement comes as Pakistan’s military chief Gen. Asim Munir is on a weeklong trip to Washington. Munir met senior US officials, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, US Forces Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Charles Q Brown, and US Deputy National Security Adviser Jonathan Finer, said the statement issued by Pakistan military’s media wing.?

• It added the two sides discussed the ongoing conflicts in the region and "agreed to increase interactions between Islamabad and Washington. “Matters of bilateral interests, global and regional security issues, and ongoing conflicts were discussed during the meetings. Both sides agreed to continue engagement for exploring potential avenues of bilateral collaboration in pursuit of shared interests," said the statement.
• During a meeting between the defense officials of the two sides, "counter-terrorism cooperation and defense collaboration were identified as core areas of cooperation. “The top Pakistani general underscored the importance of "understanding each other’s perspectives" on regional security issues and developments affecting strategic stability in South Asia.He highlighted the importance of resolving the Kashmir issue in accordance with international law and relevant UN Security Council resolutions, according to the statement.

2.?? Worthy audience one of Gen. Asim Munir’s major foreign policy objectives is to address Pakistan's economic challenges through cooperation with friendly nations. His vision for Pakistan’s economic growth and prosperity emerged when he took on a diplomatic role in?securing funding?from the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia to fulfill IMF preconditions for a crucial bailout package. While this prevented Pakistan from facing a debt default, it also brought significant embarrassment due to the harsh conditions attached to the IMF bailout in an already crisis-ridden country. Indicating a shift away from geopolitics and toward geo-economics’, Gen. Asim Munir has committed to leading Pakistan toward self-reliance by leveraging its?resource advantages. His vision includes a policy aimed at?ending dependency?and promoting self-sufficiency. To expedite these initiatives, a new “single-window” investment facilitation body, the?SIFC, was established under his leadership in June of this year. Its primary objective is to attract foreign investments across various sectors, such as mining, agriculture, information technology, and energy, from affluent Gulf countries, China, and the United States. Honestly speaking:-?

• Gen.Munir has urged foreign investors to explore Pakistan's untapped natural resources, estimated to be worth?$6 trillion, including?deposits?of copper, gold, sulfur, lead, and zinc, among others. He has also encouraged local investors to participate in these endeavors. In discussions with Pakistan's business community, Gen. Munir?outlined his plans?for economic recovery. Emphasizing his commitment to geo-economics’, he underscored his efforts to convince Gulf monarchs to consider investing up to $100 billion in Pakistan.
• Gen. Munir's broader approach to economic diplomacy underscores his vision, favoring development partnerships over development assistance.This shift also signifies a change in Pakistan's traditional military approach of providing military bases to now offering economic bases.
• Gen. Munir’s geostrategic vision for Pakistan, though it may sound idealistic, has already scored several successes. To revive the domestic economy, he has?launched a comprehensive crackdown?on corruption, smuggling, energy theft, illegal practices, and unauthorized immigration. Gen. Munir has?earned praise?for his commitment to revitalizing Pakistan's economy, presenting himself as the guarantor of stability in the country and the primary point of contact for the international community. This underscores his aim of transforming Pakistan into an important market that can bring together various global economic interests.
• On the security front, Gen. Munir has escalated military operations against terrorist outfits like Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan,?declining?to engage in talks for peace. Furthermore, he has strengthened the military’s defense engagements by forging military cooperation agreements with countries across the?Central,?West, East, and?South Asian?regions. Pakistan recently hosted the?“Eternal Brotherhood-II”?multinational counterterrorism exercise, reflecting Gen. Munir's two-pronged strategy. Firstly, he aims to capitalize on Pakistan's pivotal role in combating terrorism originating from Afghanistan, addressing concerns among both neighboring nations and global powers such as the U.S., China, and Russia. Secondly, he seeks to counterbalance India's influence by strengthening regional military alliances.?
• Gen. Munir's foreign policy aspirations entail significant risk and could have serious consequences for Pakistan. To begin with, it remains uncertain whether his expanded role in governance will effectively enhance the military's softer image and bolster Pakistan's global reputation, especially given that many of its major challenges are still attributed to the actions of the military establishment
• ?Additionally, establishing Pakistan as a stabilizing regional security actor seems to be a daunting task, particularly in the context of?heightened tensions?with its immediate neighbor, Afghanistan. Achieving a neutral middle power status presents its own set of difficulties, and this objective may prove elusive until Pakistan gains a certain level of economic independence.
• To date, Pakistan's efforts to attract significant new investments from the Gulf states have?run into difficulties, given the latter’s predominant focus on the ongoing Gaza crisis. There is limited evidence to suggest that Gulf nations will come to Pakistan's aid in the near future. As a result, the SIFC has?struggled?to finalize long-awaited billion-dollar foreign transactions. With limited foreign support available, Pakistan continues to heavily depend on financial assistance from organizations like the IMF and investments from China.
• It seems that the most critical foreign policy challenge confronting Gen. Munir is the integration of soft power with hard power. This requires finding a delicate balance between security and economic considerations, necessitating a departure from traditional military strategies to embrace alternative methods of advancing national interests. Given the unique strategic culture of the military, which may lack an understanding of the nuances of civilian affairs and the intricacies of soft power, expectations for progress from Gen. Munir may be limited.

3 ?Conclusion .Worthy audience with two more years ahead, the success of Gen. Munir's foreign policy hinges on addressing several crucial questions. We hope he would deal with most threatening issues of intensified Terrorism, political instability, Afghanistan & Imran ?most controversial & volatile issues with his emasculate positive approach. How does he plan to balance fostering economic growth with Pakistan's current economic dependence? Could Gen. Munir's geo-economics strategy unintentionally lead Pakistan into another debt trap ?Let us admit it ?with logic :-

• To prevent Pakistan from becoming overly reliant on the exploitation of natural resources and transforming into a rentier state, what proactive measures does he intend to take? Additionally, as Pakistan navigates strained relations with neighboring India and Afghanistan,
• Gen Munir achieve Pakistan’s long-term security goals? Moreover, how does he plan to navigate its position amid the rivalry between the United States and China without taking sides? Importantly, what specific steps will he take to bridge the gap between civilian leadership and the military establishment, ensuring a cohesive and effective foreign policy strategy?
• COAS Gen Asim Munir for sure seems focused on navigating Pakistan's response to the demands of both the United States and China without stirring tensions with either side. He has?sought to enhance?Pakistan-U.S. defense ties, rekindling U.S. interest in the country after a previous inclination to disengage. A notable case in point is the?renewal?of the Communications and Information Security Memorandum of Agreement (CISMOA), a crucial element of U.S.-Pakistan defense cooperation, through which the U.S. has extended its offer to assist Pakistan in counterterrorism efforts. To further solidify ties .
• COAS Pak Army ?visited Washington?in mid-December (ending tomorrow) for discussions with senior U.S. military and Biden administration officials, seeking to strengthen U.S.-Pakistan military cooperation and foster investment in Pakistan by urging the U.S. government to explore opportunities through the newly established Special Investment Facility Council (SIFC, see below). As for China, despite?reports?of Beijing’s reluctance to add more projects to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) due to performance issues on Pakistan's part, Gen. Munir's?renewed commitment?to ensuring the security of Chinese interests has injected new life into previously stagnant CPEC projects.

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