Dr. Zeeshan Haider
Since its inception, Pakistan is facing multiple conflicts at the internal and external levels. Extremism and intolerance of diversity and dissent have grown, fueled by a narrow vision of Pakistan’s national identity, and are threatening the country’s prospects for social cohesion and stability.
The inability of state institutions to reliably provide peaceful ways to resolve grievances has encouraged third parties to seek violence as an alternative. The country saw peaceful political transitions after the 2013 and 2018 elections. However, as the country prepares for anticipated elections in 2023, it continues to face a fragile economy along with deepening domestic polarization. A deadlock has been created on fresh elections for the provincial assemblies of Punjab and KP. The election commission of Pakistan has become a toy in the hands of the coalition government of PDM. In addition, devastating flooding across Pakistan in the year 2022 has caused billions in damage, strained the country’s agriculture and health sectors, and also laid bare Pakistan’s vulnerability to climate disasters and troubling weaknesses in governance and economic stability.
Regionally, Pakistan faces a resurgence of extremist groups along its longest border with Afghanistan, which has raised tensions with Taliban-led Afghanistan since 2021. Despite a declared ceasefire on the Line of Control in Kashmir in 2021, relations with India remain stagnant and vulnerable to crises that pose a threat to regional and international security. The presence and influence of China, as a great power and close ally of Pakistan, has both the potential to ameliorate and exacerbate various internal and external conflicts in the region.
In this regard, there is a dire need for the promotion of dialogues in Pakistan that are missing for the last three decades. It is also needed to work to help reverse Pakistan’s growing intolerance of diversity and to increase social cohesion. Local organizations should be supported that are developing innovative ways to build peace and promote narratives of inclusion using media, arts, technology, dialogues, and education as a tool.
State institutions should need to work in collaboration with one another behaving more responsive to citizens’ needs, which can reduce the use of violence to resolve grievances. There is a need to support work to improve police-community relations, promote greater access to justice and strengthen inclusive democratic institutions and governance at the state level. There is also a need to conduct and supports research in Pakistan to better understand drivers of peace and conflict and informs international policies and programs that promote peace and tolerance within Pakistan, between Pakistan and its neighbors, and between Pakistan and the big powers.
The Pakistani police have struggled with a poor relationship with the public, characterized by mistrust and mistreatment, which has hindered effective policing. The police are being used in the hands of PDM. Some international institutions have partnered with national and provincial police departments to aid in building police-community relationships and strengthening policing in Pakistan through training, capacity building, and social media engagement.
Nearly two-thirds of Pakistan’s population is under the age of 30. Youth with access to higher education carries a disproportionate influence in society. However, Pakistan’s poor education system does not allow interactions across diverse groups or campuses, leading to intolerance, and in some cases, radicalization. To tackle the growing intolerance of diversity on university campuses, civil society, and state institutions should work in partnership to support programs that establish sustainable mechanisms for dialogue, critical thinking, and peace education.
It is also the responsibility of the state to support local cultural leaders, civil society organizations, artists, and others in reviving local traditions and discourses that encourage acceptance of diversity, promote dialogue, and address social change. The state should also support media production — including theater, documentaries, and collections of short stories — which offer counter-narratives to extremism and religious fundamentalism.
Relations between religious communities in Pakistan have deteriorated, with some instances of inter-communal violence or other forms of exclusion. District governments should support the efforts of local peacebuilders, including religious scholars and leaders, to promote interfaith harmony, peaceful coexistence, and equitable inclusion of minorities (gender, ethnic and religious) in all spheres of public life.
To help democratic institutions be more responsive to citizens, the government of Pakistan should provide technical assistance to state institutions and efforts to empower local governments, along with helping relevant civil society actors advocate for greater inclusion of marginalized groups. This will empower women in peacebuilding and democratic processes through research, advocacy, and capacity building.
Pakistan is under greater stress of inflation, instability, and uncertainty. The tug of war between the opposition and treasury benches will result in the default of Pakistan. IMF and other lenders are not ready to help us. In this situation, we must behave with responsibility. Table talks between PTI and PDM should be ended positively, otherwise, we will be plunged into darkness for decades.
It is my humblest prayer to ALLAH, May Almighty protect our country from evil eyes. Shine us, FOREVER. Elahi Ameen.
NO ONE CAN SAVE US; JUST OURSELVES.
