With devastating floods in Pakistan amid political turmoil, New Delhi and Islamabad need to break out of the current impasse and resume talks.
With devastating floods in Pakistan amid political turmoil, New Delhi and Islamabad need to break out of the current impasse and resume talks.
All this is happening in Pakistan unprecedented floodsAn economy on the brink, tolerating political turmoil, an army working hard to maintain its dominance while locked in a war with a political leader, former prime minister-turned-street-fighter Imran Khan.
A Pakistani editor once told this writer: “Can you tell me which country has provided the world with so much front-page news?” And, after a pause, he said, “There is no other country.” Years later, the statement resonates.
‘Monsoon on steroids’
In the midst of floods caused by “monsoon on steroids”, a phrase used by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, in which the death toll crossed 1,200 and affected more than 33 million, Mr Khan is fighting what many People believe that there is a successful struggle. He survived after being removed from the post of Prime Minister.
The country has received excessive rainfall, a mild way of describing the severity of the monsoon. Photographs of people living in tents along the Islamabad-Peshawar motorway tell their own story – not a single Pakistani province has remained untouched by the floods.
The civil society of Pakistan has been organizing relief and aid for the affected people from time to time, it is a reflection that even as the country is battling its devils, humanitarians are rushing to help their fellow citizens.
Imran Khan’s trick
However, the political class is divided and – even temporarily – unable to iron out differences to deal with the flood crisis posed by the growing impact of climate change. Cases and counter-cases are filed by the federal government of Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and the federal government of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the latter being mocked by Mr Khan’s political party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.
When the people of Pakistan are in the grip of floods, there is a bitter exchange of words between Mr. Khan on one side and Mr. Sharif on the other and former President Asif Ali Zardari. Mr Khan is targeting both over the issue of the appointment of a “favourite” army chief in November, when the tenure of the current army chief, General Qamar Javed Bajwa, ends. In response, Mr. Zardari went to the extent of saying that everyone knew who was spreading “anarchy” in Pakistan and who was “man and beast”, a pointed reference to Mr. Khan.
Mr Khan seems to have seized on the anti-military initiative, once linked to thrice ousted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. His rallies, recent by-election victories and anti-American rhetoric suggest that Mr Khan is a serious contender for power in the next general election. The military and their political opponents will undermine them at their own risk.
looking for a bailout
floods in pakistan As the COVID-19 pandemic subsides. There are reports of extensive damage to standing crops, with even car manufacturing plants temporarily shutting down as the country grapples with the natural calamity.
What has come as some relief to the country is $1.17 Billion Extended Fund Facility Approved by the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Shortly before the IMF’s announcement, Qatar also announced that it would invest $3 billion in Pakistan. All this will allow Pakistan to keep its head above water, but the common people want relief from the steady rise in fuel, electricity and food prices.
Pakistan has also managed to keep distance from them. the other elephant in the room – Financial Action Task Force – which put it on the gray list, but it is likely to be out of that list After site visit by FATF personnel.
Even as Pakistan tries to present a clean image on the terrorism financing front, the fact remains that the military and intelligence establishment maintain links with terrorist groups, especially those that carry out their activities in India. direct to.
Despite the stalemate in ties, which began with India cutting off trade across the Line of Control due to alleged terror ties, and Pakistan’s decision to end all trade following India’s decision to change the status quo in Jammu and Kashmir in August 2019. The move coincides with, in late August, Prime Minister Narendra Modi did the right thing. Delay in reaching flood-hit Pakistan,
India should provide all possible assistance to Pakistan in its hour of need. Pakistan should also understand that help from India is something that its people need. It is in Pakistan’s hands to reopen business, but India can offer necessary help. Food, medicines and relief materials can be a start. If New Delhi is really ready to help then there is no time to waste. Indians and the world needs to see relief trucks in Attari, waiting to cross Wagah. The Khokhrapar-Munabao link should also be used extensively.
New Delhi and Islamabad must overcome the current bilateral impasse, and immediately begin a bilateral dialogue on tackling the effects of climate change in the subcontinent – a one-point dialogue to begin with.