by Dr Tanvir Hussain Bhatti

Created on: August 21, 2008

What Plagues Pakistan?
Pakistan is at the crossroads of grave challenges that have plagued the social, political and economic fabric of the country. Its economy is in a shambles; its politics is based on fragile democratic institutions and powerful dictatorship; and its society is confronting relentless gauntlets of growing intolerance and extremism. Its enemies are sparing no effort to create instability in it. Its power boozed foes are letting no cranny untapped to rob it of its nukes. Western dinosaurs and their paranoid wheeler-dealer media are propagandizing to brand it an irresponsible state that cannot safeguard its nuclear assets. There are massive pockets of poverty and illiterate teeming millions. Educated people are moving from cigarette kiosk to tea stall in search of jobs to make both ends meet when the prices of all commodities are skyrocketing. Politics is tremendously personalized that has shattered the basis of democracy. There is perpetual institutional decay. The masses are indifferent while the men on good wickets are lavishly spending the national treasure for their luxurious activities.

When Pakistan appeared on the map of the world it possessed bare resources because it was carved out in the areas of the subcontinent that were deliberately kept backward by the colonial white burglars. The death of the father of the nation during the formative phase of the country was a bolt from the blue for the budding nation. He did not get adequate time to strengthen the social, political and economic framework of the newly created country. After his untimely death Pakistan made average steps forward at a snail's pace due to internal intrigues of the vested interests having their own shirt to button and external conspiracies of its enemies having their own trouser to zip. Even after the lapse of six decades our country is still confronting scores of challenges that are perpetually impeding its pace of progress. If these snags are disentangled by adopting head-on approach Pakistan can emerge as an Asian Tiger that is time and again desired and pledged by our rulers.
Volatile law and order situation discourages foreign investment because no one would like to lose his moneybags in a state where men in the driving seat address the public gatherings behind bullet proof screens and the life of a two times former PM is not safe. Pakistan is endowed with towering mountains, glistening peaks, gushing rivers, sprawling deserts, historical monuments and unrivaled

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