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Pakistan’s Stability Demands Urgency Over Rhetoric

Miss Iqra Ali

Miss Iqra Ali, CSS GSA & Pakistan Affairs Coach, empowers aspirants expertly.

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2 August 2025

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This editorial explores the complex internal and external challenges that Pakistan faces, including political instability, economic fragility, terrorism, and strained diplomatic relations. It argues that these issues are deeply interlinked and cannot be resolved through superficial policy responses. Instead, it calls for a long-term, pragmatic strategy involving democratic reforms, economic restructuring, energy sustainability, and regional diplomacy. With bold evidence and contextual analysis, the editorial underscores the urgency of comprehensive national reform. The editorial emphasizes that without coordinated and visionary leadership, Pakistan’s recurring crises will persist.

Pakistan’s Stability Demands Urgency Over Rhetoric

Pakistan, since its inception in 1947, has faced a persistent struggle for stability, frequently challenged by both internal dysfunction and external hostility. These twin crises have deeply undermined its developmental trajectory, restricted institutional growth, and imperiled the very notion of sovereignty that the founders envisioned. Rather than charting a consistent path of progress, the nation has repeatedly encountered setbacks resulting from a complex mix of governance failures, economic mismanagement, violent extremism, and diplomatic isolation. Despite intermittent attempts at reform, these issues have compounded over decades, pushing the state into a perpetual cycle of crisis and reaction, devoid of long-term strategic planning.

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Domestically, Pakistan’s most entrenched issue remains the crisis of governance, a problem as old as the state itself. While political transitions have occurred, these have seldom yielded stable or transparent governance. Corruption remains endemic, cutting across public and private sectors alike. Bureaucratic inefficiencies, institutional decay, and a prevailing culture of impunity have continued to hinder service delivery and policymaking. In various departments, bribery has become a normalized practice, where officials often solicit payments for services that should be provided by the state without coercion. According to Transparency International, Pakistan ranked 29 out of 100 on the Corruption Perceptions Index, signaling a severe failure in controlling graft across sectors. Such widespread corruption erodes public trust, delegitimizes democratic institutions, and distorts the political landscape.

Compounding the governance dilemma is political instability, which has become a defining feature of Pakistan’s modern history. Civilian governments remain under constant pressure from rival political forces, the judiciary, and often, the military establishment. Rather than addressing core governance failures or economic policy, successive governments have wasted political capital on narrow partisan rivalries. A notable example was the political deadlock during the PPP-led government under Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, whose administration was marred by corruption allegations and frequent confrontations with the opposition over the controversial National Reconciliation Ordinance. This pattern of factionalism weakens not just political parties but the broader democratic process, making long-term institutional development virtually impossible.

Parallel to governance crises is Pakistan’s chronic economic instability, which has severely hampered socio-economic development. Despite having immense agricultural and industrial potential, Pakistan continues to struggle with low productivity, weak investment, and fiscal mismanagement. According to Country’s Economy, Pakistan’s GDP growth was only 3.2 percent in 2011, ranking it 162nd globally, reflecting deep structural problems in the economy. Unemployment has grown steadily, and inflation continues to eat into household incomes. Persistent fiscal deficits have led to the over-reliance on domestic borrowing, particularly from the State Bank, causing inflationary pressures that further marginalize the working class. Energy shortages, rising global commodity prices, and a lack of export diversification have only worsened the situation.

Economic instability cannot be dissociated from the security environment, which remains fragile. Pakistan has long battled the menace of extremism and terrorism, with waves of sectarian and political violence disrupting daily life and economic activity. Though military operations in the tribal areas and urban crackdowns have weakened terrorist networks, incidents of violence still persist. In a recent attack in Bannu district, at least 17 people were killed and more than 20 injured when a suicide bomber drove an explosives-laden vehicle into a fortified police station, reflecting the continuing threat posed by militant groups. These attacks not only exact a human toll but scare away both local and foreign investors, stunting economic revival and undermining national morale.

Energy insecurity adds another layer of internal instability. Despite being energy-rich in terms of potential, Pakistan suffers from frequent load-shedding and fuel shortages. This not only disrupts domestic life but paralyzes industrial output, especially in sectors like textiles and manufacturing that are vital for export earnings. Dawn reported a gas shortfall of 1.8 billion cubic feet during a recent crisis, which led to severe CNG load shedding and a 14 percent tariff hike by the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority. Infrastructure deficiencies, theft, and circular debt continue to plague the energy sector. Independent power producers are not paid on time due to the government's fiscal deficits, causing a recurring cycle of default and service breakdowns.

Externally, Pakistan’s relationships with its neighbors and global partners have become more strained in the wake of regional security challenges and geopolitical shifts. Its eastern border with India remains one of the world’s most militarized flashpoints, where even minor incidents can escalate rapidly. Although several peace initiatives have been launched under the Composite Dialogue Framework, India's allegations regarding Pakistan-based militant groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba have blocked meaningful progress. The 2008 Mumbai attacks served as a painful reminder of how non-state actors can derail the prospects of normalization. Subsequent incidents along the Line of Control, coupled with Kashmir-related disputes, have created a toxic diplomatic climate, pushing both nations further away from rapprochement.

Tensions with the United States also reflect a legacy of mistrust and strategic divergence, especially in the post-9/11 context. While Pakistan was hailed as a key ally in the War on Terror, US drone strikes in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas [FATA] caused civilian casualties and resentment among the population. This fueled anti-American sentiment and created deep fissures within the security partnership. The Raymond Davis incident, in which a CIA contractor killed two Pakistanis and claimed diplomatic immunity, further inflamed public outrage and exposed the opaque nature of US intelligence operations within the country. These events have compounded suspicions regarding Washington’s long-term strategic intentions in the region, especially its growing tilt toward India as a counterweight to China.

Perhaps the most convoluted of Pakistan’s external dilemmas is its relationship with Afghanistan. Despite shared history, ethnicity, and culture, mistrust continues to dominate bilateral relations. Following the Taliban's resurgence, Pakistan hoped for greater alignment with the new Afghan government, but these hopes were dashed by recurring border tensions and accusations of harboring militants. Afghan authorities have repeatedly claimed that elements within Pakistan support groups like the Haqqani Network, which allegedly carry out attacks on NATO and Afghan forces. These accusations have undermined diplomatic engagement, even as Pakistan remains host to millions of Afghan refugees and faces frequent border incursions and security spillovers from the western frontier.

Given this litany of challenges, it is clear that Pakistan cannot afford to rely on short-term crisis management anymore. It requires a forward-looking, pragmatic approach that combines institutional reform, strategic diplomacy, and economic revitalization. Internally, the foremost task is the revitalization of democratic institutions through transparency, rule of law, and decentralization. The 18th Amendment, which constitutionally mandated the establishment of local governments, has not been implemented in full spirit due to provincial resistance. If fully enforced, it could bring governance closer to the people and reduce bureaucratic red tape. Devolution of power not only ensures more effective service delivery but also strengthens democratic accountability at the grassroots level.

On the economic front, structural reforms must replace stopgap measures. Pakistan must rationalize its tax base, broaden fiscal revenue, and restructure public enterprises. This cannot happen without political will and bureaucratic efficiency. The current model of heavy borrowing and dependence on foreign aid is unsustainable and only deepens the cycle of dependency. Policies aimed at promoting investment in agriculture, technology, and manufacturing must be paired with regulatory reform and anti-corruption initiatives. Drawing lessons from India’s liberalization in the 1990s, Pakistan could benefit from embracing market-friendly policies that spur productivity and reduce state interference in the economy.

Security reforms must also be prioritized to dismantle the support networks for militancy. This involves both kinetic operations and soft measures, including community-based counter-violent extremism programs. The role of civil society, religious institutions, and local media in reshaping narratives and discouraging radicalization is indispensable. Education reform, including updated curricula and civic instruction, can also play a long-term role in preventing extremist ideologies from taking root.

To resolve the energy crisis, the government must address the root causes of circular debt and invest in renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and hydroelectricity. Agreements with independent power producers must be renegotiated to ensure affordability and accountability. Furthermore, investments in energy infrastructure, including grid modernization and anti-theft measures, will help stabilize supply and restore public trust in the system.

Externally, Pakistan must reframe its foreign policy through dialogue and multilateralism. Confidence-building measures with India, such as ceasefire agreements, cultural exchanges, and trade initiatives, could serve as initial steps toward normalization. However, these efforts will only succeed if backed by genuine political will from both sides. With the United States, Pakistan should move beyond security-centric ties and pursue economic and technological cooperation. Strategic clarity, rather than ambiguous signaling, is necessary to rebuild trust in Washington.

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With Afghanistan, a more humane and cooperative approach is essential. This includes formalizing refugee protocols, enhancing border management, and supporting Afghan-led reconciliation processes. Regional forums such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation [SCO] can be leveraged to engage in broader dialogue on counterterrorism, connectivity, and economic integration. A peaceful and stable Afghanistan is in Pakistan’s national interest, and any strategy that undermines that objective is ultimately self-defeating.

In conclusion, Pakistan’s road to stability is neither easy nor immediate. It requires vision, coherence, and above all, a break from the politics of expediency. Governance must be reformed to restore legitimacy, the economy must be revived through inclusive growth and innovation, and diplomatic relations must be recalibrated through dialogue and regional cooperation. Without these fundamental shifts, the nation risks remaining trapped in its historical cycles of crisis. The moment to act is now, before inertia once again robs Pakistan of the future it desperately needs to build.

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2 August 2025

Written By

Miss Iqra Ali

MPhil Political Science

Author | Coach

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Miss Iqra Ali

GSA & Pakistan Affairs Coach

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